Tigers Take First Home Game against Stonehill in Straight Sets

By: D’Mari Dreher-Smith, Sports Editor and Kylie Jones, Deputy Sports Editor

The Towson Tigers’ kicked off their season against the Skyhawks from Stonehill College after a road victory against Old Dominion. Following a 1-2 start, the Tigers’ looked to build some momentum during their four game home stretch across the upcoming weekend. 

After a short back-and-forth, the first set would be in the Tigers’ hands. Senior Sarah Callender and Junior Taylor Pagan quickly made their presence known, offering major offensive contributions to set the tone for the match. 

“We had to focus on our own energy going into our first home game,” said Callender. “We didn’t focus on them, just on playing clean and putting the ball away.” 

What would hold the Tigers back, however, was a number of unforced errors, including three service errors, which allowed the Skyhawks to gain some traction.

Towson notched three straight points to hoist themselves above Stonehill, 21-12. Another kill from Pagan and a service ace from Kaitlyn Moran would bring the Tigers to set point, and they were able to seal it with a kill from Ella Sanders with a final set score of 25-14. 

The second set opened up for the Tigers with Callender still dominating the court, quickly recording two more kills. 

“Once we settled into our rhythm and flow, we found our chemistry and were able to gel,” said Callender. 

Despite the dominant performances, Tiger errors would allow Stonehill to even up the score, 7-7. 

Towson was able to respond swiftly, going on a five point run highlighted by two more kills from Pagan, and a kill each for Sanders and Malinah Purcell-Telefoni with Pagan contributing a block. 

The Tigers and Skyhawks continued to trade errors and points, with the Tigers eventually pulling away, 20-13. After Stonehill delivered two kills, middle blocker Erin Brothers delivered one of her own, turning the energy in the Tigers’ favor. 

A kill from Purcell-Telefoni and freshman Ava Drye brought the Tigers to set point. Another kill from Callender would hand the second set to Towson, 25-17.

Despite Towson now looking to close the match, errors would riddle both sides of the court. A back-and-forth rally ensued, but a series of Tiger kills gave Towson the upper hand. 

Towson earned five straight points accredited to a service ace from Sydney Stewart and kills by Callender, Pagan, and Purcell-Telefonica.

The Tigers kept the momentum, eventually emerging far above the Skyhawks, 17-7. Callender remained a force on the floor, totaling five kills in the third set. 

Brothers and Sanders each added another kill for Towson, and the Tigers would eventually take it after errors plagued Stonehill. The final set score was 25-11. 

“Some of our biggest worries were blocking and having the connection and flow we need within the game,” said Pagan. “It took us a minute to find it but now we’re using all of these games as opportunities to be stronger moving forward.”

Callender led the Tigers in kills with 13 of her own, followed by Purcell-Telefoni and Pagan who added eight apiece while Sanders contributed seven. Purcell-Telefoni and Pagan also boasted six blocks each for Towson. Maisie Jesse led in assists with 13 and Stweart reigned in 24 digs.