TOWSON, Md. - Senior Shelynne Hoyt hit .615 in the final match of her career to help lead the Tigers to a 3-0 win over UNC Wilmington on Saturday night. Towson (16-15, 4-10 CAA) used the victory on Senior Day to close the season with wins in three of its final four matches.
"I'm pleased with the way the match went tonight," said Coach Bruce Atkinson. "All season long we've been working hard to be better when we played a team a second time and I think it showed tonight and this weekend."
The Tigers jumped out to a quick 10-5 lead in the first set as Katy Buck had three kills early. UNC Wilmington would cut the Tiger lead to 14-12 behind a couple of strong serves from Courtney Porter. The Tigers pushed their lead to 18-12 behind some strong serves from Stacey Niehoff. A Buck service ace would make it 20-13 in favor of the home team. The Tigers would secure the final point of the set on a block from Hoyt and Buck, taking the first set 25-18.
Towson opened up an 8-3 lead to start the second set before the Seahawks cut it to 8-6, on a Kelli Clear service ace. The Tigers would extend their lead to 11-8 on an ace from Lauren Tonokawa. Three straight service aces from Hoyt gave Towson a 19-11 advantage in the set. A 5-0 run from UNCW would make it 20-17 in the set. Buck had a kill to break up the Seahawk run. The Tigers would take a 2-0 lead in the match with a 25-20 win in the set.
The third set was the most tightly contested of the three. The two teams battled through seven ties and five lead changes. Most of the ties were early though and the Tigers were eventually able to open up a 13-9 advantage behind back-to-back kills from Hoyt. The Tigers extend their lead to 16-13 behind a kill from Hoyt. Towson led 24-19 behind a block from Hoyt and Amanda Halls. The Tigers took the third set 25-21 and secure the match.
Hoyt had nine kills, three service aces and four blocks to go along with her strong hitting performance. Buck led all players with 17 kills while hitting .406 with eight digs and two blocks. Halls recorded her 11th "double-double" performance of the year. She finished with 11 kills and 11 digs. Tonokawa led the Tigers with 13 digs while adding three service aces. Evan Schulz contributed 25 assists and seven digs while Niehoff added 10 digs.
Jennifer Mallard led UNC Wilmington with 11 kills while Natalie Lahaie added 14 assists. Kelsey Bendig added 12 assists and four digs while Samantha Seifert contributed 13 digs.
The Tigers lose Hoyt, Tonokawa, Britney Loomis, Desiree Agader and Kristina Swan to graduation. Buck, Halls, Schulz and Niehoff are part of a group of 11 letter winners that will return next season.
-- TIGERS --
