Nov. 18, 2005
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Jade Brown led the Terps tonight with 18 kills and five blocks in a 3-1 (33-31, 30-15, 28-30, 34-32) win over the Clemson Tigers before a crowd of 635 in the Comcast Center Pavilion. The win improves Maryland's record to 25-3 (16-3 ACC) and drops Clemson to 11-16 (6-13 ACC). The game marks the first season sweep of the Tigers since 2001 for the Terrapins.
Maryland hit .299 on the night and kept the Tigers to .222. The Terps out-blocked Clemson (12-9) and were more aggressive on defense (86 digs-75digs). Aside from Brown, five other Terrapins had kills in double-figures including Rachel Wagener (16), Maggie Schmelzle (14), Stephanie Smith (14), Beth Gillming (11) and Mary Beth Brown (11). Wagener led the night with a total of nine blocks, while Clemson's Brittany Ross recorded the match-high of 32 kills. Schmelzle (14 kills, 26 digs) and Gillming (11 kills, 11 digs) posted their 14th and 7th double-double, respectively, for the year.
"It was good to see us rebound after last weekend," commented coach Janice Kruger. "The team needs to understand what it takes this time of the season - the intensity and motivation are different."
The first game was a close contest from the start with Maryland building a slim lead at 11-7 on an error by Clemson. The Terps sustained the margin for a few points, then Jade Brown tipped the ball for a score to go up 15-12. Clemson's Ross had a kill down the line followed by a Clemson block to bring the tie to 16, the first of nine ties in the game. The teams traded points when Maryland fell behind by two at 25-27 and Maryland called a timeout. Gillming had a kill for the Terrapins and the game was within one point. Clemson closed in and had game point at 27-29. Maryland fended off three match points till a kill by Stephanie Smith secured the game for the Terps at 33-31.
Clemson opened with a quick 3-6 lead over the Terps when Mary Beth Brown stepped in with two kills, followed by a kill from Schmelzle and Smith to bring the score to a tie at 7. The Terps went on a six point run on Smith's serve, bringing her total of three aces for the night, for a 14-7 lead. Maryland extended the lead to ten points at 19-9 when Gillming dove for a key dig which Jade Brown drained for the kill. Wagener and Mary Beth Brown paired up for a block to go up 29-15 gaining the win on a Clemson error. The Terps had five blocks in the second game.
In the third game, the Terps built a six-point lead over Clemson at 12-6 on a tip by Schmelzle. Ross answered back with two straight kills, yet Maryland kept the Tigers at bay and the Terps went up 25-20 on a block by Wagener and Jade Brown. Clemson scored two quick points, then Wagener had a kill from Tedi Doucet. Clemson narrowed the gap and tied the game with a block by Meghan Stanton and Meghan Steiner for a tie at 28. Maryland had two errors to drop the game, 28-30.
Clemson scored three straight points to open the fourth game, yet Maryland responded and scored six straight for a 7-4 lead. The Terps again improved the lead for a 15-12 score and a 23-19 lead on a kill by Schmelzle. Clemson closed in yet again advancing on some Maryland errors and winning some key rallies to tie at 29 on a kill by Ross. The Terps had five match points before Smith sealed the game and match for the Terps with a kill.
Maryland faces the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (11-7, 15-12 ACC) on Sunday, November 20 at 1:00 p.m. in the Comcast Center. Sunday, the final home game of the season, is Senior Day for the Terrapins.
