COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Towson University volleyball team faced off against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2023 season opener. The Tigers (1-0) swept the Gamecocks (0-1) 25-21, 25-22, 25-18 in Columbia.
 
Irbe Lazda led the team with ten kills , while Aayinde Smith finished with eight kills on .667 hit percentage and added nine total blocks.
 
Key Stats vs South Carolina:

• Towson finished with 12 total blocks compared to only three for South Carolina.
• The Tigers finished with a .282 hit percentage versus a .100 hit percentage for the Gamecocks.
• Victoria Barrett had nine kills, eight digs and three total blocks.

 
How It Happened vs South Carolina:

• The Tigers started the first set with an early 3-1 lead after Victoria Barrett registered two points, including a service ace.
• South Carolina scored consecutive points to tie the score at three, but Towson went on a 4-0 run that included three straight attack errors by Lauren McCutcheon to have a 7-3 edge.
• The Gamecocks reduced the lead to two, then the Tigers responded with three consecutive points that included kills from Nina Cajic and Aayinde Smith to have an 11-6 lead.
• The teams went back and forth, exchanging points until the Black & Gold scored four consecutive points with kills from Irbe Lazda and Barrett to take an 18-10 lead.
• South Carolina scored 11 of the following 15 points to cut their deficit to 22-21, but the Tigers scored the final three points in a row capped by a Zyare Abdul-Rahim kill to win the first set 25-21. 
• The teams started the second set trading points until the Tigers scored three consecutive points, which included a kill from both Lazda and Barrett to have a 9-6 edge.
• Both teams continued to go back and forth, then South Carolina went on a 4-0 run to take a 13-12 lead, its first lead of the match.
• The teams battled back and forth, but Towson ended the set with a 5-0 run highlighted by a Cajic ace to take the second set 25-22.
• Towson continued where they left off and opened the third set with a 4-1 run with three kills from three different Tigers.
• South Carolina cut the deficit to one, but Towson responded with five consecutive points to take a 9-3 lead.
• The Tigers continued to grow the lead and added three consecutive kills to have a 19-10 advantage.
• South Carolina made a late run, but Towson finished with back-to-back points to win the third set 25-18.

 
Inside the Numbers vs South Carolina:

• Sarah Jordan had a team-high 16 assists while Trinity Burge added 15 assists.
• Sydney Stewart made her first collegiate start and totaled a team-best 11 digs.
• Four Tigers finished with a .300 or better hitting percentage.
• Towson registered a .324 hit percentage in the third set.
• The Tigers picked up their first win against an SEC opponent in program history.

 
Up Next:
The Tigers will play the Gamecocks tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. on the SEC Network +.