TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University volleyball team went against the Chicago State Cougars this afternoon. The Tigers (20-1, 9-1 CAA) survived a scare against the Cougars (5-13) in four sets 24-26, 34-32, 25-18, 25-14.
 
Key Stats vs Chicago State:

• Towson held the Cougars to a .105 hit percentage.
• Towson totaled 59 kills tying their second-best mark of the year.
• The Tigers registered 15 blocks, while Chicago State had seven.
• Towson had six service aces for the fifth time this year and the second time in the last three matches.
• The Tigers tallied 55 assists, their second-highest total of the season.

 
How It Happened vs Chicago State:

• Towson was able to get out to an 8-4 lead in the first set behind two kills each from Irbe Lazda and Victoria Barrett. Chicago State tied the score at ten after a 6-2 run.
• The Tigers scored three consecutive points, but the Cougars responded with a 9-3 run to take a 19-16 advantage. Towson tied the score after scoring three unanswered points. The teams went back and forth until Chicago State ended the set with a kill and a Towson error to take the first set 26-24.
• The second set started with the Tigers able to gain an 8-6 lead, then Chicago State was able to tie the set at ten. The teams went back and forth, exchanging one-point leads until the Cougars were able to gain a three-point lead after a 4-1 run gave them a 20-17 advantage.
• Towson was able to tie the score at 21. The teams continued to go back and forth, with the Tigers facing nine set points until Lazda scored back-to-back kills on the Tigers' tenth set point to win the set 34-32.
• Chicago State was able to get an early lead, but Towson countered with an 8-3 run to have a 13-10 advantage. The Tigers grew the lead to 20-13 after a 7-3 run to take control of the third set. Towson won the third 25-18 after scoring three of the final points to take the lead.
• The fourth set started with a 12-5 by the Tigers that included six unanswered points and two aces from Sarah Jordan.
• The Cougars were able to cut the deficit down to six, but Towson scored five straight points to have a 23-12 lead behind Smith's two kills. Towson won the fourth set 25-14 after exchanging two points each to win their 20th match of the year.

 
Inside the Numbers vs Chicago State:

• Aayinde Smith secured her first double-double of her career behind a career-best 15 kills and ten total blocks on .667 hit percentage.
• Fay Bakodimou registered her first double-double of the season with 16 digs, a career-high, and 11 kills. Bakodimou surpassed 100 career aces and 100 total blocks.
• Katie McCracken put up a career-best 29 assists to have 400 assists at Towson. McCracken added in nine digs and one ace.
• Sarah Jordan had 17 assists and a team-high two aces to have four straight matches with an ace.
• Rachel Hess had a team-best 17 digs and five assists.
• Irbe Lazda finished with 14 kills, six total blocks and one assist.

 
Next Game:
Towson will resume CAA play with William & Mary at SECU Arena on Oct. 29-30 at 1:00 p.m.