A Division II school with a student population of just more than 6,000 may not draw much spotlight from the outside world, but the University of Tampa and its athletics department does not go without its feats and accomplishments.
The 2010 Fall semester for UT sports was no different than any other. Competitiveness was the focal point, and winning stole the show. Highlighted by four varsity teams reaching their respective regional tournaments at the very least, Spartan sports in the Fall was a success.
Paving the way to that success was the volleyball team. Led by four accomplished seniors with already impressive collegiate resumes (Melissa Vanderhall, Meghan Sherman, Kaleigh Cunningham and Sam Macks), the Spartan women emerged as a national powerhouse behind a 31-4 overall record.
The team posted a 15-1 record in conference play throughout the season, claiming its sixth straight Sunshine State Conference title, the twentieth in program history. Bustling through the south regional tourney, the Spartans won all three matches by a combined score of 9-2 sets.
After making quick work of their first two opponents in the NCAA Quarterfinals and Semifinals, they squared off against reigning national champions Concordia University.
Though falling in four sets to the Golden Bears, UT came away with its 26th tournament appearance and boasted an impressive 21-game winning streak prior to the defeat that ended the season.
Following a 17-3-1 season in 2009, after which five key players on the team were lost to graduation, the men’s soccer team could have just looked to rebuild around senior Lister Warren with a young group of players.
That was not the case, however, as the Spartan men came away with a 14-7-1 overall record while finishing third in a very competitive conference race.
The third place finish during the regular season did not deter UT heading into the postseason. With wins against Florida Tech and nationally ranked Barry, the Spartans made a south regional appearance. In a rematch with
Barry in the opening round, the Spartans were not victorious, being shutout 1-0.
Head Coach Adrian Bush has a lot to look forward to in his promising group of underclassmen, led by freshman goal keeper David Niepel and sophomore forward Kemal Malcolm.
In his first collegiate season, Niepel started all 21 games in net for the team and posted a 0.86 goals per game average. Malcolm led the team in assists (6) and was third on the team in goals scored (6).
Unlike its counterpart, the women’s soccer team entered the 2010 season looking to rebound from a disappointing 6-11-1 showing in its previous campaign.
The Spartans had failed to reach the postseason in 2009, also the only year in Head Coach Gerry Lucey’s collegiate coaching career in which his team finished under .500.
Fortunately for the Spartans, history did not repeat itself in 2010. The Spartan women possessed a record of 16-5-2 en route to a number 16 national ranking.
By tallying 16 wins, the 2010 team placed fourth all-time for most wins in a season. They advanced in the postseason as far as the NCAA South Regional Final, but not before beating the sixth ranked West Florida in penalty kicks. It was also by way of penalty kicks that the Spartans lost in the regional final match, their opponent being SSC rival Florida Tech.
From the field to the course, the Spartan runners had one of their most accomplished seasons in program history. With a fourth straight conference title, the UT women runners have now claimed the top spot in the SSC eight out of the last nine years.
They matched that feat by winning their fourth straight regional title as well, with a record-breaking course time by senior Heather Nicolosi. The Spartan women also competed in the NCAA Championships, placing 15th.
For the men’s team, five top-five group finishes capped an impressive regular season. They placed second in conference, only behind the SSC powerhouse Florida Southern Mocs, which has claimed the top prize for the past 14 seasons.
Coach Jarrett Slaven was named the South Regional Coach of the Year, and Nicolosi athlete of the year, by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Not lost in all the triumphs of the well-established sports teams at UT was also the creation of a women’s golf program and a men’s ice hockey team. While the hockey team has already faced some competitive play, both newly established teams enter the 2011 year looking to add their footprint to Spartan athletics.
Based on 2010’s triumphs, expectations should be no different when looking ahead to the spring semester.
Both basketball teams are already in the midst of promising campaigns, the swim teams are approaching the postseason, and on top of that, it’s not even baseball season yet. It’s business as usual for UT athletics.
Daniel Feingold cam be reached at minaret.sports@gmail.com.