TOWSON, Md. - Despite a match-high 17 digs from junior Stacey Niehoff, the Towson University volleyball team fell to James Madison, 3-1 on Sunday afternoon in Colonial Athletic Association play. The Tigers (16-6, 3-2 CAA) were held to just a .145 hitting percentage in the match for their first home loss of the season.

In the first set, the Dukes (13-5, 4-1 CAA) used three straight service aces from Danielle Erb to take a 21-13 lead. James Madison would take the first set 25-17 behind a kill from Holly Wall. In the second set, leading 17-16, the Tigers recorded four straight points on the service game of junior Karolina Sawaniewicz to lead 21-16. The two teams continued to battle before a solo block from senior Susan Gansor gave the Tigers the 25-20 set win and tied the match at 1-1.

The third set was a hard fought battle between the two squads that needed extra points to decide it. The Tigers and Dukes battled through 17 ties and two lead changes. With the set tied at 26-26, the Dukes got a kill and a block to claim the 28-26 victory and the 2-1 lead in the match. The two squads had to push through seven ties and three lead changes in the fourth set. Tied at 24-24, the Dukes got back-to-back kills to seal the victory.

The Tigers were led by sophomore Katy Buck who had 17 kills and six digs in the match. Niehoff added an assist in addition to her digs while freshman Paige Sekerak added 15 digs. Junior Alysha McCreary had seven kills and three block assists while sophomore Bibiany Fonseca contributed 37 assists, eight digs, four kills and two service aces.

Wall led the Dukes with 17 kills and 14 digs while Erb had 11 kills, 13 digs and four service aces. Katie Daorai finished with 16 digs while Megan Wiechmann contributed 26 assists.

The Tigers return to action on Friday, Oct. 14 when they travel to Virginia Commonwealth for a 7 p.m. match.

- TOWSONTIGERS.COM -