BOX SCORE MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Haley Pa'akaula had a match-high 14 kills to lead the Towson University volleyball team to a 3-0 win over Southern Mississippi on Saturday at the Alabama State Tournament. The Tigers improved to 9-0 on the season with the victory.

Towson took advantage of three straight attack errors by Southern Mississippi to take a 9-4 lead in the first set. A kill from Saitaua Iosia pushed the Tiger lead to 17-11. An attack error by the Tigers allowed Southern Mississippi to pull to within five, 20-15. However a service ace from Iosia and a kill from Lindsay Flaherty helped extend the Tiger lead to 23-15. Pa'akaula's kill closed out a 25-18 first set win for the Tigers.

A kill from Candace Steadman allowed the Tigers to open up a 7-2 lead in the second set. Pa'akaula's kill pushed the Tiger advantage to 14-8. Paige Sekerak had a service ace which gave Towson a 19-10 lead. The Tigers closed out a 25-14 second set victory and took a 2-0 lead in the match on a kill from Pa'akaula.

Iosia had a kill to give Towson a 9-4 lead in the third set. A ball handling error by Southern Mississippi pushed the Tiger advantage to 16-8. The two teams continued to battle as an Iosia kill gave Towson a 20-16. Three straight attack errors by Southern Mississippi gave Towson a 25-18 set win and victory in the match.

Pa'akaula added nine digs in addition to her kills. Iosia had 13 kills and eight digs while Barbara Lopez had 15 assists and three kills. Sekerak led the Tigers with 11 digs.

Elise Ames and Lydia Bonner had seven kills each to lead Southern Mississippi.

Towson wraps up the tournament when it faces Alabama at 2:30 p.m.