TOWSON, Md. - The Towson University volleyball team earned a pair of victories on Friday in the Battle of Baltimore Tournament. The Tigers (6-1) earned a 3-0 victory over Coppin State in their first match and followed that up with a 3-0 win over Morgan State.
"I thought we started the first match a little slow and didn't really follow the game plan," said Coach Bruce Atkinson. "The second match we did a better job of accomplishing our goals and played well."
Towson hit .400 in the first set against Coppin State (1-5) and got five kills apiece from Katy Buck and Susan Gansor to earn a 25-17 win. The Tigers and Eagles battled through nine ties and three lead changes in the second set. A service ace by Paige Sekerak helped secure the 25-21 set victory for the home team. Towson hit .304 to Coppin State's -.040 in the third set and claimed a 25-14 victory for the match win.
Buck had 11 kills and nine digs to lead Towson. Sekerak had a match-high 12 digs while Aubrey Kirven contributed 34 assists and five digs. Gansor hit .429 for the match with nine kills and two block assists.
Ariel Richard led Coppin State with eight kills and four digs.
Towson had its best hitting match of the season against Morgan State as the Tigers hit .372 with 46 kills. Buck had five kills and two service aces in the first set against the Bears to lead the Tigers to a 25-18 victory. Towson hit .500 in the second set while holding Morgan State to a .120 percentage. The Tigers claimed a 25-11 set victory and a 2-0 lead in the match. The third set was the closest one of the match as the two teams battled through five ties and three lead changes before the Tigers emerged with a 25-20 win and the victory in the match.
Buck again led the Tigers, this time with 14 kills and six digs as she hit .480 for the match. Dayane Van Ass contributed nine kills and hit .438 with two block assists while Kirven had 27 assists in the first two sets. Bibiany Fonseca set for the Tigers in the third and posted 10 assists and two digs. I'ishah Keliikoa had eight kills for the Tigers.
Zurie Smith finished with seven kills for Morgan State while Natalie Chafeh posted 18 assists and six digs.
The Battle of Baltimore Tournament continues on Saturday, September 3 on Morgan State's campus. The Tigers face UMBC at 11 a.m. and Loyola at 7 p.m.
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