WILMINGTON, N.C. – Junior Katy Buck and senior Marta Machos combined for 24 kills to lead the Towson University volleyball team to a 3-0 victory over UNC Wilmington on Sunday afternoon. Buck added 10 digs as the Tigers (17-3, 4-0 CAA) won their 10th straight match.
The 10 straight wins by the Tigers tie the 2010 Tiger squad for the longest win streak under Coach Bruce Atkinson.
“Our pin hitters did a nice job of controlling the match today,” said Atkinson. “Overall, I thought we were able to carry out our game plan in the match.”
Towson opened the first set with a 7-2 lead as Buck recorded a kill. The Tigers extended their lead to 11-6 on a service ace from senior Alysha McCreary. A pair of attack errors by the Seahawks (7-13, 0-5 CAA) gave Towson a 19-8 advantage in the set. The visitors extended their lead to 24-18 on a kill from junior Dayane Van Ass and claimed a 25-18 set win on a bad set by the Seahawks.
The two squads battled early in the second set and found themselves tied at 11-11. A kill from senior I'ishah Keliikoa started a 5-0 run by the Tigers and gave them a lead they would not give up. A block from Van Ass and McCreary gave Towson a 20-14 advantage in the set. The Tigers scored six of the final seven points in the set to secure a 25-15 set win and a 2-0 lead in the match.
The third set saw the Tigers and Seahawks battle through 10 ties and six lead changes. With the set tied at 15-15, the Tigers scored three straight points including a service ace from Machos. UNC Wilmington pulled to within one at 18-17 on a kill from Morgan Kline. Towson extended its lead to 22-20 on a kill from Van Ass. The Tigers secured the 25-20 set win on a bad set by the Seahawks.
Buck recorded her second “double-double” of the weekend and sixth of the season with 14 kills and 10 digs. Machos contributed 10 kills, three digs and two service aces. Senior Aubrey Kirven led the Tiger offense as she contributed 39 assists, three digs and two kills. Sophomore Paige Sekerak finished with 14 digs while Van Ass had eight kills.
Christi Laite led UNC Wilmington with eight kills while Victoria Phillips had 13 assists and six digs.
Towson returns to action on Friday, Oct. 11 when the Tigers travel to George Mason for a 7 p.m. match.
