WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — William & Mary volleyball fell to Towson in a tense five-set match at Kaplan Arena on Friday evening, with scores of 25-19, 25-21, 14-25, 15-25, and 11-15.

William & Mary (6-10, 1-4 CAA) started the first set by capitalizing on Towson's early attack errors, securing a 3-0 lead with contributions from Katherine Arnason and Beatriz Silva. The strong defensive presence, highlighted by a series of blocks, including those from Damisi Osibodu and Nicole Smith, maintained momentum for the Tribe, extending their advantage to 15-6.

Mid-set adjustments by Towson (16-2, 7-0) allowed them to close the gap slightly, but W&M responded with consistent play from Silva and Arnason. A decisive block by Olivia Westfort and Smith helped stave off Towson's attempts to rally. W&M closed the set effectively with Nicole Smith's kill and an error by Towson, taking the set 25-19.

W&M began the second set by establishing momentum with a series of scoring plays, including a key kill by Audrey Brcka and a service ace from Silva, pushing the team to an early advantage. Arnason and Smith contributed crucial points, maintaining a slim lead despite Towson's efforts to close the gap. Silva's consistent setting facilitated multiple kills, keeping the offensive pressure high.

As the set progressed, Towson responded with a series of kills, leveling the score at 14-14. The Green and Gold regained control with a service ace from Arnason and a timely block by Osibodu and Arnason. The set concluded with a decisive series of plays from Smith and Westfort, securing a 25-21 win for the Tribe.

W&M began the third set with momentum, securing a 4-1 lead fueled by a kill from Smith and a block from Osibodu. However, Towson quickly responded, tying the score at 8-8 with a service ace from Sarah Callender and maintaining pressure with multiple kills from Addison Leber.

Despite efforts from Arnason and Brcka to regain control, Towson capitalized on a series of W&M attack errors to extend their lead. The set concluded with Towson scoring the final two points on kills by Leber and Tshilanda Diouf, resulting in a 25-14 victory for Towson in the third set.

W&M faced a challenging fourth set against Towson, beginning with the visitors taking an early 3-0 lead through a series of effective plays. The Green and Gold responded with a kill from Brcka, setting off a brief rally that helped close the gap to 4-4, highlighted by a block from Arnason and Osibodu.

Midway through the set, Silva's kill brought the score to 5-5, but Towson capitalized on a service ace and a series of kills to regain control, extending their lead to 10-6. W&M continued to battle, with kills from Ryann Love and Silva keeping the team in contention at 14-10.

Despite continued efforts, including a late kill from Smith, Towson maintained their momentum with consecutive points from Leber and Erin Brothers. The set concluded with Towson sealing a 25-15 victory, leaving the Tribe to regroup for future contests.

In the decisive fifth set, W&M made a concerted effort to close the gap against Towson. After an early deficit, the Tribe capitalized on a service error by Towson and a kill from Osibodu, assisted by Silva, to put points on the board. Consistent contributions from Devereaux Hoxsie, who delivered multiple kills, kept W&M within striking distance.

Despite W&M's efforts to rally with key plays from Smith and Brcka, Towson maintained their lead through effective attacks, including a series of kills by Leber and Callender. Ultimately, the set concluded with Towson securing a 15-11 victory.

STAT NUGGETS

• Arnason led with 12 kills along with six total blocks.
• Smith added 11 kills and five blocks.
• Osibodu racked up a career-best 11 blocks, including one solo.
• Silva recorded a double-double, assisting on 31 kills and adding 15 digs.
• Horejsi dug out 15 balls.

UP NEXT
W&M will face Towson again on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Kaplan Arena.