TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University volleyball team hosted the reigning CAA champion Charleston Cougars on Sunday afternoon in the second of two matches to begin Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) regular season play.
 
Towson (11-2, 2-0 CAA) overpowered Charleston (6-6, 0-2 CAA) to win in three sets at SECU Arena by set scores of 25-21, 25-21 and 25-15.
 
Records:

• Towson – 11-2, 2-0 CAA
• Charleston – 6-6, 0-2 CAA

 
Key Stats

• Towson held a decisive .289 to .127 hitting percentage edge in the match.
• The Tigers finished with 49 kills to Charleston's 29.
• The Black & Gold had 35 or more attacks in every set, whereas the Cougars finished with less than 35 in two of three sets played.

 
How it Happened

• Charleston opened the match with a 6-3 lead before Towson scored eight of the next nine points to take an 11-7 lead.
• After a Cougar side out, the Tigers scored another four unanswered points to push the lead to 15-8.
• Charleston scored four of the next five points to pull within four at 16-12.
• A 5-1 Cougar run moments later pulled them within a point at 18-17.
• Up 19-18, the Tigers scored four the next five points to push their lead to 23-19.
• Ella Sanders capped off the opening set with a kill, 25-21.
• Towson opened up the second set with a 7-2 lead.
• In a 10-5 hole, Charleston scored four unanswered points to pull their deficit to one at 10-9.
• With a one point lead, the Tigers scored three straight to extend the lead to four before the Cougars scored six straight to reclaim the lead at 16-14.
• Down 21-19, Towson ripped off six unanswered points to win the set, 25-21. Taylor Pagan (2), Sarah Callender (1) and Tshilanda Diouf (1) had kills in the run.
• The teams traded short runs to begin the third set, with the Tigers getting out to an early 8-5 lead.
• The Cougars scored three unanswered points to tie the set.
• Towson followed that with a 4-1 run to reclaim the lead at 12-9.
• Runs of three and four points later in the frame gave Towson a commanding 22-14 lead.
• Following a Charleston side out, the Tigers closed the set with three straight points to win, 25-15. Maisie Jesse had a service ace and Ella Sanders had a kill to finish off the match.

 
Inside the Numbers

• Sanders finished with a match-high 15 kills. She's now eclipsed 15 kills in seven of 12 matches played.
• Jesse finished with a match-high 20 assists. Peyton Meyer finished with 19.
• Callender finished with eight kills and 11 digs.

 
Up Next
The Tigers embark on their second road trip this season, and the first in conference play, to visit Boston to face the Northeastern Huskies next Friday and Saturday. The matches are set for 4 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.