BALTIMORE - Sophomore Alyssa Lang (Richmond, Va./Deep Run) hit 22 kills, a UMBC season-high, and senior Kira Giles (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada/Glenlawn) became the fourth Retriever in school history to earn 3,000 career assists as the UMBC volleyball team defeated cross-town rival Towson, 3-1, Tuesday at the RAC in their final non-conference match of the season.

"I couldn't be prouder of our effort tonight," head coach Ian Blanchard said. "We grinded it out and gives us some momentum going into conference play."

Both teams hit lights out in the first set, with the Retrievers hitting .364 to the Tigers'.333, but UMBC prevailed 25-21. In the second set, the Tigers earned six blocks and the Retrievers hit four service errors in Towson's 25-21 victory.

In the third and fourth sets, the Retrievers earned 13 kills each and five service aces on their way to winning 25-22 and 25-21 to take the match.

Lang added 13 digs to her 22 kills to earn her third double-double of the season. The sophomore hit .360 with only four errors on 50 swings.

"She had her best match of the season so far," Blanchard said. "She was giving them fits hitting and got some pretty clutch digs as well."

Senior Pam Jarrett (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Pius X) earned 16 digs, moving her into eighth all-time at UMBC with 1,078 for her career.

Giles earned 44 assists, eight digs and four total blocks on the day, giving her 3,001 assists for her career. Her 3,000th gave UMBC a 22-20 lead in the fourth set.

The Retrievers return to action Sunday when they begin 2009 America East conference play at Hartford on Sunday at 1 p.m.