TOWSON, Md. - The Towson University volleyball team hit .410 en route to a 3-0 victory over George Mason on Friday night in a Colonial Athletic Association match. The Tigers (16-5, 3-1 CAA) recorded a hitting percentage over .400 in a match for just the second time this season.

"I thought we did a nice job of focusing on what we needed to do today and getting it done," said Coach Bruce Atkinson. "Aubrey Kirven did a nice job of running the offense and allowing us to execute tonight."

The Tigers jumped out to an early lead in the first set as back-to-back service aces by Kirven put the home team up 11-5. Towson extended its lead to 18-8 behind a block and would go on to take the set, 25-12. The Tigers hit .700 in the first set and did not make an error in 20 attempts. The second set would prove to be the most challenging of the match as the two teams battled through eight ties and four lead changes. The Patriots (7-9, 2-2 CAA) hit .212 to the Tigers' .188 in the set but it was the home team coming away with the 25-18 set win.

In the third set tied at 9-9, the Tigers got back-to-back kills from sophomore Katy Buck and junior Alysha McCreary. Those kills gave the Tigers a lead they would not relinquish as they took the third set, 25-20 and won the match in straight sets.

The Tigers, who matched their win total from last season with tonight's victory, had four players with seven or more kills in the match. Buck led the way with 14 kills and hit .393 for the match. McCreary added eight kills, three digs and three block assists while Kirven contributed 35 assists and three service aces. Freshman Paige Sekerak led all players with 14 digs. Senior Susan Gansor and sophomore Dayane Van Ass recorded seven kills each and combined for five block assists.

Noelle Fanella led George Mason with 11 kills and nine digs while Tori Price had 12 assists and three digs. Kelly McCarter contributed seven digs for the Patriots.

The Tigers are now tied for first in the CAA standings with a 3-1 record. Towson will host James Madison on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m.

- TOWSONTIGERS.COM -