TOWSON, Md. - The Towson University volleyball team clinched a spot in the upcoming Colonial Athletic Association Tournament with a 3-0 win over Hofstra in its final home match. The Tigers (21-8, 8-4 CAA) got "double-doubles" from sophomore Katy Buck and junior Aubrey Kirven to help seal the victory on Saturday.

Towson, which will be making its first appearance in the CAA Tournament since 2008, honored senior Susan Gansor for her contributions to the program prior to the start of the match.

"It was good to get a win tonight especially after the heartbreak of last night," said Towson Coach Bruce Atkinson. "We did what we needed to in order to get the victory."

The first set saw the two squads' battle through nine ties and two lead changes. The Tigers and Pride (13-16, 4-8 CAA) were tied at 22-22 before a Hofstra error and back-to-back kills gave the Tigers the win. Towson took the first set 25-22 and a 1-0 lead in the match. Hofstra led 7-4 in the second set before the Tigers rallied to tie the action at 8-8 behind a block from junior Alysha McCreary and Gansor. The Tigers used a four-point run to extend their lead to 18-9 and included in that run were a pair of service aces from freshman Paige Sekerak. The two teams continued to battle as Hofstra pulled to within three at 24-21. However, a solo block from McCreary gave the Tigers the set win and a 2-0 lead in the match.

In the third set, Towson trailed 20-16 when Atkinson was forced to call timeout. A couple of kills from Buck and McCreary and two ball handling errors by the Pride following the timeout put the home team back on top 21-20. Hofstra would tie the set at 21-21 before Towson got a kill from sophomore I'ishah Keliikoa and three straight from Buck to seal the 25-21 win and victory in the match.

Buck finished with 13 kills and 10 digs for her eighth "double-double" of the season. Kirven posted 38 assists and 11 digs for her ninth "double-double" of the year. Gansor had seven kills, hit .583 and added three blocks. McCreary finished with 10 kills and three blocks while Sekerak had 15 digs. Junior Stacey Niehoff contributed to the defensive effort with 11 digs.

Nikki Kinnier had 11 kills to lead Hofstra while Catalina Charry finished with 24 assists and seven digs. Kylee Maneja had 18 digs for the Pride.

The Tigers wrap up the regular season next weekend when they visit George Mason and James Madison. The match against the Patriots is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11.

- TOWSONTIGERS.COM -