HARRISONBURG, Va. – Despite a season-high 15 total team blocks, the Towson University volleyball team fell to James Madison, 3-1 on Friday night in Harrisonburg, Va. Freshman Lindsay Flaherty led the Tiger blocking efforts with a season-high eight blocks.

The Tigers and Dukes battled early in the first set as the Tigers took a slim 8-7 lead on a kill from Flaherty. A block by the Dukes started a 10-2 run for the home team, which turned a one-point deficit into a seven point lead, 17-10. A kill from Sarah Patterson extended the James Madison advantage to 21-13. The Dukes claimed a 25-18 first set win on a kill from Hanna Radhi.

A service error by James Madison (7-10, 2-2 CAA) allowed the Tigers to open up an 8-6 lead in the second set. A kill from junior Saitaua Ioisa gave Towson a 16-9 lead in the set. Senior Dayane Van Ass' kill allowed the visitors to push their advantage to 18-13. James Madison pulled to with two, 21-19 on a kill. However, the Tigers responded with three straight points, including a block from Van Ass and Flaherty. Towson earned a 25-21 victory in the second set on a James Madison service error. The set win by the Tigers tied the match at 1-1.

In the third set, the Tigers (6-16, 0-4 CAA) scored eight of the first 15 points for an early advantage. James Madison trailed 13-12 before a 4-0 run gave the home team the lead back. The two teams battled back and forth as a block from sophomores Haley Pa'akaula and Candace Steadman tied the set at 19-19. The Dukes scored five of the next six points and took a 24-20 lead in the set. The Tigers used a kill from Flaherty and a pair of blocks from Flaherty and Pa'akaula to make it 24-23 in the set and force a James Madison timeout. A Tiger service error gave the Dukes a 25-23 set win and a 2-1 lead in the match.

James Madison came out hot to start the fourth set and quickly opened up a 21-10 lead. Towson responded with a 7-3 run which made it 24-17. Flaherty and Pa'akaula had a pair of blocks during that stretch for the Tigers. Kelly Maguire secured the 25-17 set win and victory in the match for the Dukes with a kill.

Iosia posted her seventh “double-double” of the year to lead the Tigers' efforts. She had 14 kills and a season-high 19 digs in the match. Pa'akaula finished with 11 kills and a career-high six blocks while junior Casey Giovanazzi dished out 21 assists. Flaherty added four kills and five digs to go along with her season-high in blocks. Junior Paige Sekerak contributed 12 digs and a season-high seven assists.

Janey Goodman led James Madison with 14 kills while Patterson finished with 37 assists and eight digs.

Towson returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 12 when the Tigers travel to William & Mary for a 7 p.m. match.