COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Towson University volleyball concluded its season-opening weekend against Western Illinois on Saturday at noon at the Hearnes Center.
Towson's (1-2) decisive .292-.118 hitting percentage edge over Western Illinois (0-2) earned the Tigers a four-set win over the Leathernecks. Western Illinois posted 14 kills in the opening set of the match before the Tigers limited the Leathernecks to nine kills or less over the final three sets.
Key Stats
- Towson outpaced Western Illinois 57-38 in kills.
- The Tigers outhit the Leathernecks in every set, including hitting .519 with 16 kills in set two.
- Anna Rice and Evi Priniotaki led all players with 13 kills each.
- Clara Vorel posted a match-high nine blocks.
- Kennedy Adair led Western Illinois with nine kills in the match.
Key Situations
- Set One: The Leathernecks posted 14 kills and limited themselves to just four attacking errors to take the opening set, 25-22.
- Set Two: The Tigers responded in the next set, posting 16 kills on a .519 hitting percentage, while holding Western Illinois to seven kills on a .074 hitting mark.
- Set Three: After falling 8-5 to begin the set, an 8-3 Tiger run put them ahead, 13-11. They closed the set on a 7-3 run to win, 25-19.
- Set Four: Down 14-13 midway through the frame, the Tigers scored eight-straight points to go ahead, 21-14. A kill from Ava Drye and a pair of Leatherneck attacking errors gave the Tigers a 25-17 win in the fourth and final set.
Inside the Numbers
- Kaitlyn Moran led all players with 30 assists in the match and posted a double-double with 10 digs. She's posted 30 or more assists in two of three matches to begin the season.
- Rice has now finished with 12 or more kills in all three matches to open the season. She added five aces, five blocks and nine digs today.
- Priniotaki's 13 kills, four blocks and .385 hitting percentage all mark season highs for the rookie.
Next Game
The Tigers return to Maryland to face Loyola at Reitz Arena on Friday at 6 p.m.
-TowsonTigers.com-
