BOX SCORE TOWSON, Md. – Led by 19 kills and 10 digs from Towson Invitational MVP Saitaua Iosia, the Towson University volleyball team defeated La Salle University 3-0 on Saturday night in SECU Arena. Towson captured the team title in the tournament and improved to 6-0 on the season with the victory.

Iosia was joined on the all-tournament team by teammate Haley Pa'akaula, Coppin State's Cindy Okpegbue and Chelsee Sauni, La Salle's Kelly Perillo and St. Peter's Dayana Arrufat.

"It was definitely a winnable tournament coming in," said Tiger Head Coach Don Metil. "We got a lot of our young kids to get some experience. Last year were we had a tough schedule early, it's great to have some success early with two tough weekends ahead."

The Tigers jumped out to an early lead in the first set as a block from Pa'akaula gave Towson a 10-5 edge. The Tigers extended their advantage to 16-8 on a kill from Iosia. Another kill from Iosia made it 21-9 in favor of the home team. Towson sealed the first set, 25-11 on a kill from Victoria Williams.

Iosia had five kills in the first set while Candace Steadman led the way with four blocks. Towson hit .478 in that set to La Salle's -.029.

The second set saw the Tigers and Explorers (3-5) battle through five ties and one lead change. The two teams were tied at 5-5 before three straight points from Iosia gave the Tigers a lead they would not relinquish in the set. The senior had a kill and a pair of service aces during that stretch. Towson pushed its advantage to 14-9 on a block from Lindsay Flaherty and Barbara Lopez. Iosia's third service ace of the set extended the Towson lead to 19-11. The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the match as Iosia's kill closed out a 25-14 set win.

Iosia had eight kills and three service aces in the frame.

Towson quickly opened up a 9-3 lead in the third set on a kill from Lopez. The two teams continued to battle before a kill from Kelsey Polak gave Towson a 17-10 lead. A kill from Taylor Huewe made it 21-13 in favor of the Tigers. A kill from Ioisa gave Towson a 25-20 third set win and victory in the match.

Iosia had six kills and six digs in the frame.

Iosia led the Tigers in the match with 19 kills, 10 digs, three service aces and a block. Pa'akaula had seven kills and 10 digs. Steadman had a career-high seven blocks to help the Tigers post 11 team blocks in the match. Lopez contributed 17 assists and three kills. Paige Sekerak finished with 12 digs and six assists.

Perillo led La Salle with seven kills and five digs.

Towson will return to action on Friday, Sept. 12 when it travels to the Alabama State Tournament. The Tigers face The Citadel and Savannah State on day one of the tournament.