COLUMBIA, Mo. –Towson University volleyball opened the 2026 season against Idaho on Friday afternoon to begin the Mizzou Invitational. After leading two sets to none, the Tigers lost the final three sets on 6-1, 7-1 and 5-1 runs to drop their first match of the season.
Towson (0-1) held the edge for much of the fourth set while leading two sets to one but with a 21-18 lead in the set, surrendered seven of the final eight points to Idaho (1-0). The Vandals closed the final set with three kills and two blocks to win three sets to two.
Key Stats (Match One)
- The Tigers outpaced the Vandals in kills, 60-40, but were hindered by eight more attacking errors and nine more service errors in the match. They paced the Vandals in every set except for the third.
- After posting 29 kills in the first two sets, Towson was limited to 31 over the final three.
- Anna Rice led all players with 19 kills on a .368 hitting percentage. She posted 11 combined kills in the Tigers' two sets won.
- Kaitlyn Moran led the field with 31 assists.
- Idaho's Kianna Greer led Missouri with 14 kills.
Key Situations (Match One)
- Set One: Towson posted 13 kills to Idaho's six in the first set to win, 25-17.
- Set Two: The Tigers amassed 16 kills in the second set, led by Rice's eight, on a .414 hitting percentage to lead two sets to none.
- Set Three: After taking the opening point of the third set, the Tigers never regained the lead in the set as the Vandals won 25-18.
- Set Four: The Black & Gold led for much of the fourth set, including a 21-18 lead, before surrendering seven of eight points to the Vandals for their second set win.
- Set Five: Despite having 11 kills in the final set, the Tigers' five attacking errors cost them as they fell 15-12 in the deciding set.
The Tigers faced the host Missouri Tigers in their second match of the season on Friday night.
Despite pacing Missouri (2-0) in kills, Towson's (0-2) 18 attacking errors proved costly as Mizzou went on to win in straight sets.
Key Stats (Match Two)
- Missouri outhit Towson .299-.190 in the match.
- Mizzou amassed 14 kills on a .480 hitting percentage in the opening set of the match.
- Rice led the Towson squad with 12 kills on a .310 hitting percentage.
- Paige Felder led the Missouri squad with 13 kills on a .387 hitting percentage.
Key Situations (Match Two)
- Set One: Mizzou outhit Towson .480-.152 with 14 kills in the opening set of the match.
- Set Two: Up 18-15, Missouri closed the second set on a 7-2 run to win, 25-17.
- Set Three: Despite outhitting Mizzou in set three, the Black & Gold dropped the final set, 25-21.
Next Game
The Tigers close the invitational against Western Illinois tomorrow at 11 a.m. CDT/ 12 p.m. EDT.
-TowsonTigers.com-
