Barry Captures 2022 NCAA Volleyball South Regional Title

Barry Captures 2022 NCAA Volleyball South Regional Title

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Barry knocked off the defending national champions to send the SSC’s 29th consecutive team to the National Quarterfinals

Phil Wood | Sunshine State Conference

TAMPA, Fla. – National No. 17 Barry University took down national No. 5 the University of Tampa in three sets to win the NCAA South Regional Championship Sunday night at Bob Martinez Athletics Center. Barry was the third seed in the region while Tampa was seeded No. 1. This marks Barry’s first trip to the Elite Eight since 2004. That was also the last time they won the national championship.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: No. 17 Barry 3 No. 5 Tampa 0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-18)

Records: No. 17 Barry (28-5, 16-4 SSC), No. 5 Tampa (29-4 17-3 SSC)

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center || Tampa, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

First Set: The Bucs and Spartans battled neck-and-neck through the first set. Neither team led by more than a point until Tampa took an 8-6 lead. With the score tied 18-18, the Bucs scored three consecutive points to take a 21-18 lead. They never looked back, as they took the first set 25-21. Diana Akopova led the way for the Bucs with 14 kills. Score: 1-0 Barry

Second Set: In set two, the Spartans opened up a 7-4 lead, but the Bucs were able to fight back to tie the match at nine. From there, the Bucs would outscore the Spartans 16-6. Up 17-13, they went on a 5-0 run to put the set completely out of reach. Score: 2-0 Barry

Third Set: With their season on the line, the Spartans jumped out to a 5-2 lead. However, like they had done all match, the Bucs fought back to tie the score at five. Down 10-8, the Bucs mounted a 9-2 run that would put the set away for good. The Spartans scored two points in a row later to tighten up the score, but the Bucs won the set 25-18. Score: 3-0 Barry

INSIDE THE STATS:

  • The Bucs have won six sets in a row. Last night, they trailed second-seeded Lynn 2-0, before they mounted a furious comeback to win 3-2.

  • During their six-set winning streak, they have outscored their opponents 140-98.

  • Akopova led the Bucs with 27 kills. She was the only player for either team to record more than seven. 

  • Djuly Schmorantz (15), Marija Borcic (14), and Luana Bulara (13) all recorded more than 10 digs in the match.

  • Tyanna Butler led the match with five blocks. Akopova was the only other player with more than one.

  • Borcic led the match with 31 assists.

  • Butler hit .600 for the match, while Christy Paul hit .556 and Jeyhlen Thomas hit .429. 

UP NEXT: The Bucs move on to the NCAA Quarterfinals, which will take place from Thursday, December 1 to Saturday, December 3 at the Royal Brougham Pavilion in Seattle, Washington. Their opponent is yet to be determined.

Editor's Note: With BU’s regional championship, the SSC has now sent a team to the national quarterfinals for 29 consecutive seasons