OMAHA, Neb. -- A roller coaster season for the Towson University women's volleyball program came to a conclusion Wednesday afternoon at the CHI Health Center Omaha Convention Center.

The two-time CAA champion, Towson (6-1) dropped its first match of the 2020-21 academic year, falling 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-16) against Dayton, winner of the Atlantic 10 Conference.

How it Happened

• The first set was tight through the first 10 points, with Dayton taking a 6-4 lead. The Tigers pulled back within one, 6-5, but the Flyers strung together four-straight points to double the lead to 10-5. 
• After both sides traded chances, Dayton put together a 7-0 run for a 20-9 lead. The Tigers had life late in the first frame, scoring three times across four serves, but the lead was too large and Dayton took set one 25-15.
• After not playing competitively for 11 days following the CAA Championship, Towson got back into rhythm early in the second set, grabbing a 3-1 lead, including kills from Emily Jarome and Fay Bakodimou. But the Flyers took the lead behind a six-point run for a 7-3 advantage.
• The Tigers fought back, scoring five of the next seven points to make it a 9-8 set. Dayton used several small runs to keep the Tigers and bay and build to an 18-12 lead.
• Another small burst for the Flyers put the second set out of reach, aided by seven points in the next 10 serves, taking the set 25-16.
• Dayton jumped out to a fast 12-5 lead in the third set before eventually taking a 20-9 lead. Towson had several small bursts to trim the deficit, but could not overcome the gap and dropped set three 25-16.

Behind the Numbers

• Towson was led by seven kills from Jarome, with Lydia Wiers and Nina Cajic adding six apiece. Bakodimou notched five kills with seven digs. Nikiya Mitchell provided a spark off the bench for Towson with three total blocks, including a solo stop on entering the match.
• One of the top hitting teams in the country, Dayton finished with a team percentage of .366. Bridget Doherty (.500) and Alayna Yates (.455) led the Flyers in hitting percentage. Lexie Almodovar led with nine kills on 17 swings. 

Up Next for Towson

• With zero seniors on the roster, Towson looks to continue to build on the program's success over the last two seasons.
• Towson's fall schedule will be announced at a later date on TowsonTigers.com.