UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - For the first time since the 2004 campaign, the Towson University women's volleyball team heads to the NCAA Tournament. After claiming the 2019 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) title two weeks ago, the Tigers draw Patriot League champion American University in the first round, hosted at Rec Hall on the campus of Penn State.

First Serve
The Tigers enter the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2004 campaign after claiming the 2019 CAA Championship with a four-set win over Elon in the semifinals followed by a sweep of James Madison in the title match.

In The National Rankings
Penn State is the only team at this pod to be mentioned in the AVCA Coaches Poll, landing in the number eight spot with 1,167 points and a 24-5 overall record.

Scouting the Tigers
After going untouched against CAA teams 18 times this season, Towson became the first league team in the rally scoring era to go perfect through both the regular season and the tournament. Towson's spread offense features five players with at least 200 kills to date, one of three teams in the NCAA Tournament with five 200-killers. All-Tournament picks Emily Jarome (322/3.16) and Olivia Finckel (310/3.04) lead the charge, followed by Annie Ertz (261/2.64), Lydia Wiers (249/2.59) and Silvia Grassini (225/2.18). Running that distribution is 2019 CAA Player and Setter of the Year Marrisa Wonders, who was also named CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. The senior has 1,199 assists to date, averaging 11.64 per set, ranking seventh nationally. Towson's offense is hitting at a historic clip this season, scoring on 27.4 percent of its attacks. Conversely, the Tigers are limiting opponents to a .139 hitting percentage this year, which ranks fourth in the country. Towson boasts three players with over 100 blocks, led by 124 from Grassini. Finckel and Wiers are in a tight race with the former notching 116 while the latter has 114. Libero Camryn Allen saw her 25-match service ace streak came to an end in the CAA Championship match, but she leads with 37 aces this season. She is also the top back row player with 394 digs (3.83) while Wonders is second with 296 (2.87). Wonders has 16 double-doubles in 2019.

Scouting the Eagles
American returns to the NCAA Tournament by virtue of the Patriot League's automatic qualifying berth after besting the conference's two service academies in four sets. It is American's 16th league title in the last 19 seasons. The Eagles' offense goes through Helena Elbaek, who has 373 kills (3.33) to date. Zeynep Uzen is second with 257 (2.76) while Onuchi Ndee and Aleksandra inch close to the 200-kill mark with 193 apeice. Olivia Wassner is the primary setter, eeking over into four digits with 1,001, averaging 9.81 per set. At the net, Jeanne Westney is the top blocker with 85 to date, including a team-best 16 solo stops, while Ndee has 79 total blocks. Handling libero duties, Kristen Largay has 500 digs (4.42), two times more than Chiara Bosetti's second-place mark of 249. The Eagles are hitting at a .261 percentage this year while holding opponents to .172.

Towson-American History
Friday's showdown will be the 24th meeting all-time between Towson and American. The two sides squared off at least once a year from 1976 until 1981 to open the series. However, it will be the first meeting since the 2010 campaign. The Eagles lead the all-time series 17-6. Towson is hunting its first win against American since a four-setter on Nov. 19, 1996 in Towson. Friday will be the first neutral site meeting between the teams since the 1979 season at the Navy Invitational. This will be the first-ever postseason meeting between the Tigers and the Eagles. 

Towson-American By the Numbers
All-Time Series Record American 17-6
at Towson American 7-3
at American American 9-1
at Neutral Sites American 1-0
at Unknown Sites Towson 2-0
First Meeting 1976 (Towson 2-0)
Last Meeting Sept. 17, 2010
American 3, Towson 0
Streak American +3

How to Say It: TOWSON
TOWSON is pronounced TOW like towel + Son.

IT IS NOT: TOE-son, Townson, Towsond, Townsend (unless referring to freshman Ally Townsend), Townsen, Towzen. One N, no Z.

We are Towson University, no longer Towson State University (and haven't been since July 1, 1997).

Our mascot is Doc The Tiger, named after Donald "Doc" Minnegan, long-time soccer coach and athletics department administrator. Towson became the "Tigers" in 1962 after John Schuerholz (yes, the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame General Manager) pushed for the name change from the "Towson College Knights".

Last Time Out vs. American | Sept. 17, 2010 | Washington, D.C. | Bender Arena
Towson's offense had a tough time finding its groove against American, hitting at a .129 percentage in a three-set (25-19, 25-20, 25-18) loss in Washington, D.C. Katy Buck, Susan Gansor and Shelynne Hoyt notched seven kills apiece. Evan Schulz pushed up 27 assists while Gansor led the net defense with five block assists. Katerina Cinkova finished with a match-high 12 kills while Angelina Waterman posted 11. Cinkova led the match with six block assists. No player in the match had double-digit digs.

With a Win on Friday, Towson Would...
- Extend its winning streak to 23-straight matches, continuing to up the program record for consecutive wins.
- Advance to the second round of the NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament for the first time in program history.
- Be Towson's seventh-straight neutral site win this season after going 4-0 during invitational season in August and September and picking up a pair at the CAA Tournament.
- Be the Tigers' second win over a Patriot League opponent this season after besting Loyola in straight sets during the Tiger Invitational.
- Be the first CAA team to win an NCAA Tournament match since Delaware notched a 3-1 win over American during the 2011 season.
- Snap a three-match skid against the Eagles.
- Set up either a rematch with Princeton (3-0, Sept. 7) or the first meeting against Penn State since 1980.

History: Made
With two wins last weekend, the 2019 Towson University women's volleyball did what no team has ever done in CAA history: go 16-0 during the regular season and then win the CAA Tournament. The 2019 Tigers are the first team in the rally-scoring era to go unblemished in league play during the regular season followed by a perfect run through the CAA Tournament. 

Since the turn of the century, only three teams have run the conference table in the regular season: the 2019 Towson Tigers (16-0), the 2003 Towson Tigers (14-0) and the 2012 Towson Tigers (12-0). Since the CAA began sponsoring women's volleyball in 1984, 12 teams have gone unbeaten in league play (William & Mary 1986-91, 1993, George Mason 1994-96).

Spread the Rock
Very few setters in the country have the luxury of choice like Towson senior Marrisa Wonders does. The Tigers are one of three teams in the 2019 NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament with five players logging more than 200 kills. To date, only Towson, Iowa State and Kennesaw State have five players over that benchmark. Towson is led by Emily Jarome (322), Olivia Finckel (310), Annie Ertz (261), Lydia Wiers (249) and Silvia Grassini (225).

Of the 64 teams in the field, 21 have four with 200-plus kills, 29 have three, nine have two and two schools have one each over 200 (Cal Poly, Hawaii).

CAA All-Tournament Team
At the conclusion of the 2019 CAA Women's Volleyball Tournament, which saw the Tigers claim their first crown since the 2004 season, three Tigers earned All-Tournament Honors.

Senior setter Marrisa Wonders was tapped as the Most Outstanding Player after dishing out 87 assists in just seven sets, averaging 12.4 per frame. She ran the Towson offense to a .281 hitting percentage over that weekend while dropping in two service aces. She added three kills on seven attempts (.429).

Senior right side hitter Olivia Finckel was named to the All-Tournament Team after putting down 28 kills on 65 swings, hitting at a .308 percentage. She split her kills evenly with 14 in each match while hitting at .375 in the championship match.

Junior outside hitter Emily Jarome was also named to the All-Tournament Team. She led Towson with 30 kills on 70 attempts, finishing with a .314 hitting percentage. She overcame a slow weekend in the final two matches of the regular season with a match-high 18 kills in the semifinals against Elon.

'Cuz Mama I'm Coming HoOoOoOoOome
This weekend will be a Pennsylvania homecoming of sorts for several members of the Towson University women's volleyball program.

Towson head coach Don Metil hails from Latrobe, Pennsylvania and attended California University of Pennsylvania.

Towson assistant coach Terry Hutchinson hails from Lititz, Pennsylvania and attended both Juniata College and East Stroudsburg University. He also coached at Elizabethtown College.

Towson assistant coach Megan Shifflett Bachmann attended Penn State and was a member of three national championship teams for the Nittany Lions.

Towson has four student-athletes from the Keystone State: Ally Townsend (Hummelstown), Marrisa Wonders (Mount Joy), Kamryn Stambaugh (York), Kristin Spengler (Whitehall).

Towson assistant director, athletic media relations John Stark is from Lewisburg, Pennsylvania and attended Lycoming College.

No Longer a Teenager
With its win over No. 2 James Madison on Nov. 24, Towson extended its winning streak to 22 matches. That mark now stands as the program record, surpassing the previous best streak of 19, set by the 2003 team. Towson's winning streak currently ranks as the fourth-longest in the nation, trailing Western Kentucky (28), Colorado State (28), and Stephen F. Austin (24). The Tigers have won their last 21 CAA regular season matches, dating back to the final five showdowns of the 2018 regular season.

The Experience Paradox
Towson University women's volleyball has not appeared in the NCAA Tournament since the 2004 season, the program's only other berth to the big dance. However, that doesn't mean the Tigers lack postseason experience.

The Tigers can lean on postseason teaching points from head coach Don Metil, who guided Maryland Eastern Shore to two NCAA Tournaments (2011, 2012) prior to his arrival at Towson. Assistant coach Megan Shifflett Bachmann won three national championships at Penn State University from 2008-10, making four berths and going 20-1 from 2008-11 in the postseason and dropping just nine sets. Additionally, senior right side Olivia Finckel reached the NCAA Division II Semifinals with Palm Beach Atlantic as a freshman in 2016 before transferring to Towson.

2019 Regular Season Champions
With its pair of wins at Charleston (3-1) and UNCW (3-1) on Nov. 8 and Nov. 10, respectively, Towson claimed outright ownership of the 2019 CAA Regular Season Championship. It is the Tigers' first CAA regular season title since the 2015 campaign when they shared the honor with James Madison. Towson was the number one seed at the CAA Tournament, the first time the Tigers were in the top spot since the 2012 season. With the regular season title in its pocket, Towson will host next year's CAA Championship at SECU Arena.

All They Do is Win
As the Towson University women's volleyball team closes out the regular season, this crop of seniors has been part of some of the winningest teams in program history. The four-year win total for the Class of 2020 has accumulated 96 wins to date, which is tied for the sixth-most for a senior class in program history. This crop of Tigers is currently tied with last year's seniors, who also won 94 matches for Towson. Next on the list is the Class of 1985, which won 97 matches for the Black and Gold.

Climbing the Books
Senior middle blocker Silvia Grassini has made her presence known at the net during her three years with the Black & Gold. The Padua, Italy native has racked 330 career blocks, ranking eighth all-time in program history. Next on the list is Meridith Baron (1997-2000), who finished with 341 career blocks. Grassini is the 12th player in program history with at least 300 blocks.

In the current 25-point rally scoring system (2008), Grassini ranks second in program history among players whose entire careers were played from 2008 on.
25-Point Rally Scoring Era Careers (2008-Present)
1) 427 - Lindsey Flaherty - 2013-16
2) 330 - Silvia Grassini - 2017-Present
3) 322 - Susan Gansor - 2008-11
4) 315 - Candace Steadman - 2012-16

Let Me Help You With That
Despite playing in a 6-2 rotation for the first three years of her career, senior setter Marrisa Wonders is etching her name in the record books. The Mount Joy, Pennsylvanian has hoisted 3,432 assists in her career, aided by another 87 assists during the CAA Tournament. She is now fourth all-time in program history. Up next on the list for third place is Heather Hutson's mark of 3,544 from 1995-98.

Wonders is having a career season in 2019, pushing up 1,199 assists in just 103 sets, averaging 11.64 per set. Her total to date ranks as the most in her career, surpassing a rookie season when she logged 869, followed by 758 as a sophomore. Wonders currently leads Towson's 25-point rally era in career assists.

Two Legs vs Four Legs
Mascots come in all shapes, sizes, animals and breeds and people. But that hasn't stopped the Tigers this season. To date, the Tigers are 17-0 against mascots with four legs (Bobcats, Bears, Tigers, Great Danes, Greyhounds, Wildcats, Dukes (dog), Huskies, Pride (lions), Tribe (griffin) and Cougars). Towson has fared well against two-legged mascots, going 11-2 to date with wins over Pirates, Cavaliers, Penguins, Highlanders, Blue Hens, Phoenix and Seahawks. Towson's lone pair of losses came against two-legged foes, the Scarlet Knights and Chanticleers.

Welcome to Our House
The friendly confines of SECU Arena have been kind to the Towson Tigers. Since moving into the new building full time in 2013, Towson has racked up an impressive 65-23 overall record at SECU Arena. The Tigers have three seasons with double digit wins, including a 10-3 mark in 2017. With a challenging home schedule last season, the Tigers went 7-8, but finished strong on a three-match win streak at home. The Tigers finished this year with a 12-1 overall mark at SECU Arena, including an 8-0 mark in CAA action.

RIP The Ace Streak: Sept. 6, 2019-Nov. 23, 2019.
Junior libero Camryn Allen doesn't have the biggest serve, but it's effective. Allen is first on the team in service aces this season, dropping in 37 through 29 matches. More impressively: Allen successfully served at least one service ace in 25 straight matches this season. The Streak came to an end on Nov. 24 in the CAA Championship Match. It was the first time since the second week of the season Allen did not log an ace. Though if asked, she would gladly take a CAA title over an ace. She is the only player in the CAA to rack up at least 10 matches this season with at least one service ace.

Well Rested
Through the 2019 regular season, the Tigers played just 96 sets, the fewest regular season sets played by Towson since joining the CAA for the 2002 season. The previous mark for fewest regular season sets played was 98 during the 2012 campaign. The 2019 and 2012 squads are the only two teams in Towson's CAA era to play less than 100 sets in the regular season. Of the 34 NCAA Division I teams with at least 20 wins this season, Towson is among just 20 to have played fewer than 100 sets this season.

Webster's Dictionary Defines "Versatility" as Towson Volleyball
While Towson's offense doesn't have one player posting huge numbers, the Tigers as a team are tough to stop. The Tigers have five players with at least 200 kills: Emily Jarome (322), Olivia Finckel (310), Annie Ertz (261), Lydia Wiers (249) and Silvia Grassini (225). Towson has the most players north of 200 kills in the league, with five schools boasting three and three schools with a pair each.

Further versatility is shown on both sides of the net; of Towson's five players with at least 200 kills, three have chipped in at least 100 blocks: Grassini (124), Finckel (114) and Wiers (112). Those three are all ranked in the top five of the CAA in blocks per set. Towson is the only school with three players averaging better than a block per set and the only school with multiple players to score 200 kills paired with 100 blocks.

The Law Firm of Finckel, Grassini and Wiers
If you've been hurt by a block this season, chances are it's from Olivia Finckel, Silvia Grassini or Lydia Wiers. Towson is the only team in the CAA to have three players ranked in the top five in blocks per set. Grassini is second in the league with a 1.20 average, while Wiers is in a close second with 1.19. Finckel ranks fifth with a 1.14 average. Towson is one of two programs in the league with multiple players averaging a block per set and is the only team in the conference with multiple players in the top five.

Stuck in the Middle With You
The Tigers are boasting a one-two punch in the middle this season between freshman Lydia Wiers and senior Silvia Grassini. The pair is ranked first and fourth, respectively, in the CAA in hitting percentage. Wiers leads the league at a .409 percentage, scoring 249 kills on 474 swings with 55 errors. Grassini is fourth with a .370 hitting percentage on 225 kills, 462 attempts and 54 errors. Towson is the only program in the league with multiple players in the top five. Wiers is the first rookie to lead the CAA in hitting percentage since at least the 2005 season.

Getcha Brooms Out
The Tigers are a perfect 18-0 in three-set matches this season, sweeping No. 2 James Madison (25-23, 25-17, 25-18) on Nov. 24 in the CAA Championship match. Under head coach Don Metil, the Tigers are 87-25 in three-setters and have had double-digit sweeps in each of the last six seasons. Under Metil, Towson has now surpassed its previous highwater mark for sweeps with the 16-2 mark set the 2014 campaign. Towson has already surpassed its winning sweep mark from last season after going 10-6 in three set matches in 2018.

Wins on Wins on Wins on Wins
Over the last five seasons, the Tigers have been a tough out for opponents. Between 2014-18, the Tigers have racked up a 121-41 overall record, which ranks 19th among NCAA Division I teams in terms of total wins in that span. With a winning percentage of .747 over the last five years, Towson ranks 22nd among fellow Division I teams in terms of winning percentage.

Tigers in the Community
The Towson University athletics department deems community service as one of its highest priorities to give back to the Greater Baltimore area.
- For the 7th consecutive year, the department exceeded 10,000 hours of community service to the Greater Baltimore region, finishing with 11,162 hours of community service in the 2018-19 academic season.
- Towson ranked #1 nationally for community service and won the 2018 National Championship for Community Service through the Helper Helper NCAA Team Works Competition.
- Towson had a 97% participation rate, attended 118 community service opportunities and volunteered with 19 organizations.
- Towson won the 2018 Volunteer of the Year Award from Susan G. Komen of Maryland.