Sept. 20, 2005

Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Rachel Wagener finished with 17 kills, while Jade Brown and Maggie Schmelzle added 13 each as the University of Maryland ran its record to 10-0 with a 30-32, 30-11, 35-33, 30-21 volleyball victory over Boston College Tuesday in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for each team.

Maryland is off to its sixth-best start in school history and the third-best since 1975. The Eagles, playing their first-ever match as the newest member of the ACC, fell to 5-5 overall.

Beth Gillming had nine kills and a team-high 21 digs for Maryland, while Stephanie Smith led the Terps with seven blocks. Schmelzle finished with a double-double, adding 15 digs to her 13 kills.

For Boston College, Tori Thompson finished with a team-high eight kills, while libero Allison Anderson had 21 digs. Allison Shepp had six blocks for the Eagles, who lost their offensive leader Doroto Niemczewska with an ankle injury in the middle of the second game.

The Eagles led the opening game 20-16 when the Terps reeled off five straight points to take their first lead of the game. Maryland's edge grew to 25-21 before the Eagles pulled even at 27-27. The Terrapins had the first game point at 29-28, but failed to capitalize. BC then earned two game points before a kill from Thompson ended the long first game in the Eagles' favor.

Maryland rolled to a 9-1 lead in the second game and held leads of 16-5 and 27-7 en route to the comfortable victory.

BC led early in the third game, earning a 17-9 edge midway through. Maryland climbed back into the game slowly, finally tying the score at 27-27. Boston College failed to convert three game points late in the match, while the Terps were able to convert their third to take the edge in the match.

The fourth game was tied at 10-10 when Maryland took control. The Terps used a strong offense in the final game, getting 21 kills, including three by Rachel Wagener in the final stretch that closed out the match.

Maryland continues its three-match homestand to begin ACC play on Friday when it hosts Florida State at 6 p.m. The Terrapins also host Miami on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.