Charleston, SC - Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year Aisha Skinner tallied a match-high 19 kills to lead the Hofstra Volleyball team to a five-set win over Towson in the semifinals of the CAA Championship on Saturday afternoon at Johnson Center on the campus of the College of Charleston. 

With the win, Hofstra improves to 24-7 and advances to the CAA Championship Match on Sunday at 1 p.m. against the winner of the semifinal between James Madison and Charleston. Towson sees its season come to an end with a record of 17-15. Set scores were 25-23, 25-22, 15-25, 23-25 and 15-10. 

The win extended Hofstra's current win streak to eight matches and the 24 wins this season are the most since the 2014 squad won 28 matches en route to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The win streak is the longest since a 10-match streak in 2014. 

Hofstra will be making its sixth appearance in the CAA Championship Match since joining the league in 2002. The Pride is 3-2 in its previous five appearances as they captured CAA titles in 2006, 2012 and 2014. 

All-CAA First Team selection Laura Masciullo added 16 kills, while senior Michela Rucli posted 13 kills and five blocks. 

The Pride took the first two sets and looked to be in control of the match before Towson roared back with wins in the third and fourth set to even the match at two. The contest began to play out like the October 19 battle between the two teams that saw Hofstra jump out to a 2-0 lead before the Tigers won the final three sets to earn the win. 

CAA Setter of the Year Luisa Sydlik posted 57 kills and 13 digs for her team-leading 15th double-double of the season. Freshman Maddie Appleton led the Pride with 14 digs. Senior Doris Bogoje led the Pride with six blocks. Emily Jarome posted 14 kills, seven digs and three blocks for the Tigers. 

NOTES
- Hofstra is 45-17 all-time against Towson. The teams split the regular season series with each winning on the opponent's home court. 
- With her 13 kills, Rucli is now just two kills shy of becoming the 17th member of the 1,000 Kills Club at Hofstra. 
- Hofstra will be looking to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time and first time since 2014.