ANNAPOLIS, Md. –– Two-time defending America East Conference-champion Towson (4-0) claimed sets four and five to edge the Navy volleyball team (3-1), 25-20, 18-25, 23-25, 25-21, 15-6, Sunday afternoon in front of a crowd that filled at the Wesley A. Brown Field House in Annapolis.

"Wesley Brown was absolutely rocking today," said Navy head coach Paco Labrador.  "I can't say enough about the fan support from the Brigade and community.  Volleyball is a momentum sport and our crowd generated the energy we needed after having played three matches over the last two days.

"Towson made us earn every kill.  They play a fast, physical game and I thought we stepped up to the challenges they presented. Our setters provided a huge impact today, both scoring for us and delivering a smart offense to our hitters."

Navy held a slim 11-10 lead in the first set before Towson opened up advantages of 15-11 and 20-13, which provided a deficit the Mids could not cut into.  

Navy quickly took a 4-0 lead at the start of set number two.  Towson closed to within one point at 6-5 then tied the set at 11-11.  A service error by the Tigers followed by an ace by the Mids started a 4-0 run that boosted Navy to a 15-11 lead.  It soon was a 19-12 advantage for the Mids and they were on their way to earning the second set.

A 5-0 run early in the third set gave the Mids a 13-10 lead.  Back-to-back points by the Tigers made the score 13-12.  Navy soon took four-point leads at 16-12 and 20-16, but the Tigers went on a 3-0 spurt to make it a one-point lead for the Mids at 20-19.  The teams exchanged service errors (21-20), then continued siding out to make the score 24-22 in favor of the Mids.  A Towson kill cut the margin in half, but a Navy kill gave the Mids a 2-1 advantage in sets.

Navy took a 5-3 lead at the start of the fourth set, but soon found itself trailing 8-5.  The Mids were able to winnow the deficit down to two points at 8-6, 9-7,10-8, 13-11 and 15-13, but then fell behind by the score of 18-13.  Navy slowly pulled itself back into the stanza and eventually ran off three-straight points to make the score Towson 21, Navy 20.  The teams traded sideouts (22-21), then a Navy service error made it 23-21 game.  A Towson kill and a Navy attack error sent the match into a fifth set.

Towson took control of the fifth set early as the Tigers built leads of 3-0, 4-1 and 11-3.

The Tigers held statistical advantages over Navy in kills (57-48), hitting percentage (.218-.136), digs (52-45) and blocks (13.5-10.0).

Avery Stowell (Sr., Yorba Linda, Calif.) led the Navy offense with 16 kills.  She was joined in double figures by Maggie Bodman (So., Northbrook, Ill.) with 10.  Both Stowell and Bodman registered five blocks.  Kimberly Lynch (Sr., Murrietta, Calif.) added three aces and 12 digs.

"Avery showcased why she is one of the most completed players Navy has had," said Labrador.  "We asked a lot from her today, and she delivered."

Navy will play host to the Kristen Dickmann Invitational this week.  Michigan and West Virginia will play Friday at noon, the Mids will face the Wolverines Friday at 7 p.m. and will play host to the Mountaineers Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

"We have plenty to work on this week," said Labrador, "but it is clear this team has what it takes to play fast and physical volleyball."