The University of Tampa volleyball team came up just short last Saturday, losing in the NCAA National Championship game to four-time defending champs and No. 1 nationally ranked Concordia University.
The Spartans’ 21-game winning streak came to a halt, in a match that was closer than the box score made it appear.
“If a couple of plays went a little differently late, we could have been national champs,” said Head Coach Chris Catanach.
“Immediately after the game, you can imagine how we felt. We were upset and disappointed, because we were so close to achieving our ultimate goal.”
The team lost three sets to one, with two of those games being decided by a margin of only two points, and the third a blowout of 25-10.
After losing in the NCAA Quarterfinals last year, the team’s effort for this season began Dec. 3, 2009. Intense training last spring, a summer trip to Europe,and more practicing in the fall helped get the team ready for their national championship title run this season.
The trip to Europe, not just for fun, was also great for chemistry-building among the team. Many of the girls who felt pressure to perform, such as Danielle Selkridge, came back more relaxed and ready to persevere through the long season ahead.
After what some would call a slow 4-2 start to the season, the team finished 31-4, peaking at just the right time. An embarrassing loss to Rollins earlier in the year proved to be a wake-up call for the team, as their 21-game winning streak began with their following game against St. Leo.
“It’s a long season, and I’m really proud of the way the team performed,” said Catanach.
“We accomplished everything we set forth, and fell just short of our ultimate goal. The most rewarding part of it all is that we spent a full year planning and setting goals and then we actually achieved them.”
As the season ended, so did the collegiate careers of seniors Melissa Vanderhall, Kaleigh Cunningham, Sam Macks and Meghan Sherman.
The seniors compiled an astounding cumulative record of 120-15 in their four year span.
“This was a very unique group,” said Coach Catanach. “I am honored to have coached them. They are the hardest working group I’ve encountered, and they went way beyond their call of duty. I couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments.”
The team will now have about a month and a half off to rest and enjoy the holidays, before they will be back to training again for next year. Catanach has high expectations for the women Spartans next season.
“We want to get back to the Elite Eight again next year,” said Catanach.
Although they did not win the national championship, the UT volleyball team has nothing to be disappointed about following what was a very successful 2010-2011 season.
Once their break is over, they will be back to work again, in efforts to prevent Concordia University from winning their fifth title in a row.
John Hilsenroth can be reached at jhilsenroth@spartans.ut.edu.