Towson, Md. -- Senior middle blocker Paola Rojas (San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico) had a team-best 15 kills on an effective .464 hitting and added five blocks, but it was not enough to stop a talented Ball State (7-4) squad from knocking-off the Retrievers in five sets (20-25, 25-13, 20-25, 25-18, 15-11) to open the Towson Invite on Friday afternoon. 

Carmen Freeman (Memphis, Tenn.) had a career-high 20 digs to go along with 13 kills, while senior setter Krytsia Negrón chipped in 37 assists and 14 digs for her seventh consecutive double-double. Seniors Kristin Watson (Bowie, Md.) and Taylor Alexander (Detroit, Mi.) had 15 and eight digs, respectively, for UMBC (3-7). Junior Franchesca Reed (Aurora, Colo.) tied a career high with 13 kills

Freshman Jamie Wood (Satellite Beach, Fla.) had six kills, four digs and a block in her first career start. Wood's two fellow freshmen, Paige Krenik (Foothill Ranch, Calif.) and Gabrielle Curran (Naples, Fla.) each filled the stat sheet as well. Krenik finished with five kills, nine digs and three blocks, while Curran added three kills and four digs.

UMBC closes out Towson Ivite play on Saturday with a pair of matches. The Retrievers face La Salle at 10:30 am before taking on the host Tigers at 7 pm.