TOWSON, Md. - On the strength of their five-match win streak, the Tigers return to the court looking to defend their Battle of Baltimore title from a year ago. Towson (5-0) will face Coppin State (0-4) at 3 p.m. and Morgan State (1-3) at 6 p.m. on Friday at UMBC. On Saturday, the action moves to Morgan State where the Tigers will battle UMBC (0-0) at 11 a.m. and Loyola (1-2) at 4 p.m.

Towson went 4-0 last year in the Battle of Baltimore tournament. Amanda Halls earned a spot on last year's all-tournament team after posting 33 kills, 39 digs, four service aces and five blocks.

The Tigers are coming off a 3-1 win over Georgetown in their home opener on Tuesday night. Katy Buck and Evan Schulz posted "double-doubles" in the win over the Hoyas. On the season, Buck leads the Tigers with 56 kills, 45 digs and 13 service aces. Schulz has a team-high 159 assists while Susan Gansor has 43 kills and a team-best 21 blocks.

Coppin State enters the Battle of Baltimore Tournament looking for its first win of the year and will battle UMBC before facing the Tigers. The Eagles are led by Ashley Saunders who has 22 kills and 29 digs so far this year. Saunders has also added four service aces. Morgan State is led by Erin Cox this season. Cox has posted 39 kills and 34 digs in four matches while Jourdan Lemons' 70 assists are a team-high.

UMBC will be kicking off its 2010 season with Friday's Battle of Baltimore action. The Retrievers will be led by Sabrina Hoeks. Hoeks had 101 kills and 29 service aces last season for UMBC. Loyola enters the weekend with a 1-2 record after competing in the Toledo Rocket Classic. Nina Camaioni earned all-tournament honors for the Greyhounds after posting 38 kills and 29 digs on the weekend.

Following this weekend's action, the Tigers return home on Thursday, September 9. Towson will host Howard at 6 p.m. as part of the Madison Bingaman Memorial Tournament.

-- TIGERS --