By Ed Morrone

When the Tigers of Towson invaded the Physical Fitness Center on Friday night, they brought with them a few impressive records. They were 21-0 in their last 21 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) regular season matches, dating back to the 2002 season. In five matches thus far this season against conference opponents, athe Tigers had yet to drop a single game, winning all 15 that they had played.

Taking all of this into consideration, it is safe to say that the Pride had quite a daunting challenge on its hands, but it was one that it was certainly up for.

Senior Julie Tatar tallied a career-high 18 kills and added a team-high 16 digs in leading the Pride to a thrilling 3-2 victory over the favored Tigers, ending both its formidable opponent’s streaks. The win pushed the Pride’s overall record to 14-6 and also allowed them to tie Towson for first place in the CAA with a 5-1 record.

“We had the same situation last year when they were undefeated and we came in and beat them in the conference tournament,” said Tatar, referring to last season’s victory over Towson in the CAA tournament semifinals. “So we have the mindset that they can’t always win. Eventually someone has to take them out, and we feel that that should be us. We have a very well-rounded team.”

Junior Tessa Sphar, who was playing in her first match since being named CAA Player of the Week, added 15 kills and 13 digs for the Pride, while recent Rookie of the Week recipient Shellane Ogoshi contributed 59 assists and 14 digs.

The Pride wasted no time in ending Towson’s undefeated game streak by jumping out to a very solid start, winning game one 30-23. However, the Tigers rebounded nicely by winning the next two games, putting the Pride in quite a hole.

But the Pride was again up to the challenge, coming out with confidence and extreme determination to win game four 30-23 before absolutely overwhelming the Tigers in the deciding game five, 15-7.

“Everybody just wanted it really bad,” said freshman Talita Silva, who again emerged as a clutch player off of the bench by tallying nine kills in just 16 attempts. “We were still confident that we could do it [after falling behind 2-1], and we never thought for a second that we were out of it.”

The Pride was able to overcome 21 kills and nine digs from Towson junior outside hitter April Hoffman and 16 kills and 11 digs from senior outside hitter Sarah Miller en route to the victory. Miller became Towson’s all-time leader in kills in the losing effort, passing the previous record of 1,365 held by Valerie Davis from 1987-89.

As for the Pride, Tatar had one of the best matches of her career when her team needed her the most. As one of the two seniors on the Pride roster, Tatar is looked up to by her teammates for her leadership abilities and never-say-die attitude in dire situations.

“We just went out and did it,” Tatar said. “Everybody was aware of the situation and what was at stake. We all believe in each other and know that the job is eventually going to get done.”

However, despite the Pride’s recent stretch of good luck against the Tigers, everybody on the team that its conference rival is not going to go quietly into the night.

“We beat a very good team,” Pride coach Fran Kalafer said. “When a team can bring out the best in you on the court, that’s what you’re looking for. We pushed them and they pushed us, but I think we were able to push a little bit harder.”

“I think that Towson is a great team,” Kalafer added. “We’re undoubtedly going to see them again because we have to play them at their place, but I think we could even end up seeing them a third time.”

Unfortunately for the Pride, it will not be able to rest easily after this win. In addition to Towson, teams such as George Mason and Delaware are all in contention for a conference championship, and it’s only going to get tougher for all of the teams from here on out.

“We have more tough matches coming up, so you can’t really dwell on anything,” Tatar said. “But that’s kind of how it goes-you just have to turn around and do it again.”

Senior Nicole Smith has been big for the Pride, averaging 2.22 kills per game this season. (Photo Courtesy Athletic Dept.)