TOWSON, Md. – In a match that featured 16 ties and six lead changes, it was Hofstra University that emerged with a 3-0 victory over the Towson University volleyball team on Friday night in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) action. The Tigers (16-1, 2-1 CAA) suffered their first loss of the season despite double-doubles from senior Julymar Otero and juniors Carola Biver and Peyton Moyles.

THE BASICS
Hofstra 3, Towson 0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-23)
SECU Arena, Towson, Md.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Tigers opened up an 8-5 lead in the first set on a kill from junior Jocelyn Kuilan.
• Hofstra (10-7, 2-1 CAA) responded with a 6-0 run and took an 11-8 edge in the set. Ivania Ortiz had three kills during that stretch.
• The Pride extended its lead to 17-12 on a kill from Michela Rucli.
• Towson responded with a 6-1 run and tied the first set at 18-18. The Tigers got kills from sophomores Silvia Grassini and Annie Ertz during that stretch.
• The two teams went back-and-forth trading points before the Pride was able to score the final three points and secure a 25-23 set win.
• With the second set tied at 5-5, Hofstra used a 6-1 run to take an 11-6 advantage. Ortiz had a kill and a service ace during that stretch.
• The Pride pushed its advantage to 16-8 on another kill from Ortiz.
• A 4-0 run by the home team made it 16-12 in the second set. Grassini had three kills while Otero provided the other one for the Tigers during that stretch.
• The two teams continued to battle before a kill from Nanishka Perez gave Hofstra a 25-17 set victory and a 2-0 lead in the match.
• Towson trailed 4-2 in the third set before a 6-1 run gave the Black and Gold an 8-5 advantage. Otero had a kill and a block during that stretch.
• A kill and a service ace from Otero extended the Towson advantage to 11-6.
• A pair of kill from Biver and Kuilan gave Towson a 17-10 lead in the third set.
• Otero's third kill of the set put Towson ahead 20-16.
• A 7-0 run that featured three service aces from Ortiz allowed Hofstra to take a 23-20 lead.
• A block from Grassini and Kuilan pulled the Tigers to within one, 24-23.
• However Ortiz had a kill on the next serve which closed out a 25-23 set win for Hofstra and gave the Pride victory in the match.

 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Tigers were hosting their "Make Puerto Rico Shine Again" drive during the match. Masterminded by Otero, Biver and Kuilan, who are Puerto Rico natives, the Tigers collected batteries and flashlights along with other donations to send to the island devastated by Hurricane Maria. Before the national anthem was played to start the match, the three Tigers from Puerto Rico were joined by the three Hofstra players and their assistant coach who are from Puerto Rico for their island's national anthem. The Tigers and Pride were also joined by players from UMBC.
• Hofstra hit .219 in the match while the Tigers posted a .209 hitting percentage.
• Hofstra finished with six service aces to Towson's one in the contest.
• Otero finished two kills shy of a triple-double as she recorded 21 assists, 11 digs and eight kills. It was her third double-double of the year.
• Biver contributed a team-high 10 kills and 10 digs for her fifth double-double of the season while Moyles added 14 assists and 10 digs for her sixth double-double.
• Kuilan contributed seven kills in the match and will enter Sunday's contest against Northeastern needing 11 kills to reach 1,000 for her career.
• Ortiz led Hofstra with 12 kills, nine digs and four service aces.  

 
The Tigers are back in action on Sunday, Oct. 1 when they host Northeastern at 1 p.m. Fans are reminded they can bring a donation to the "Make Puerto Rico Shine Again" drive and receive a free ticket to the match in exchange.