Nov. 17, 2006

Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Terps suffered a hard-fought loss tonight, dropping a five-game heartbreaker to Clemson (31-29, 28-30, 21-30, 30-28, 11-15) in Jervey Gym in Clemson, S.C. The Terps fall to 4-14 ACC (11-16), while Clemson improves to 13-6 ACC (18-9).

Maryland had one of its most balanced efforts of the season, posting its second-most digs (76) of the season and 16 blocks, while also registering a .255 hitting percentage with three players in double-figure kills. Jade Brown (21 kills-15 digs) and Maggie Schmelzle (12 kills-15 digs) led the Terps, as both players combined for nine blocks. It was Jade Brown's 13 double-double, and Schmelzle's second.

Mary Beth Brown collected 10 kills for the Terps and Katie Usher added seven, while Kathleen Wilson swatted two solo blocks and six blocks on the night.

Maryland opened with a 5-3 lead in the first game, extending the score to 8-3 on a service ace by Teryn Papp and a kill by redshirt sophomore Wilson. Clemson tied the score at 11-11, as the Terps built a lead at 15-13 after Schmelzle connected on a kill from senior setter Teryn Papp. Usher downed a kill for 28-26, but two Terrapin errors evened the game. Jade Brown handled the last two points, downing a kill and a blocking an attack by Hepburn for the 31-29 win.

The Terps had an 8-3 lead in the second game, but Clemson had a resurgence and went on a seven-point run to take a 9-10 lead. Schmelzle and Jade Brown downed kills to help regain the lead at 14-12 for the Terrapins at 20-19. At 28-28, Kelsey Murphy and Danielle Hepburn downed kills for the Tigers and the 28-30 win.

Hepburn (.320) finished with the match-high of 23 kills, while Jeannette Abbott and Leslie Mansfield registered 21 and 20 kills, respectively, for the Tigers.

After the Terps dropped the third game, Maryland rebounded and got off to a quick 7-4 start. The Tigers moved ahead by three points at 9-12, but it was Maryland's momentum that ignited the team, as the Terps moved ahead 15-14 and again at 18-15. The Terrapins built a 27-25 edge, winning the game 30-28 on a kill by Jade Brown from a set by sophomore Tedi Doucet to force a deciding game.

Mary Beth Brown, Usher and Jade Brown all had kills to help Maryland create a 5-2 lead in the fifth game. Yet, the Tigers closed in and took over the lead, scoring four consecutive points for 5-6. At 8-11, Schmelzle and Mary Beth Brown had key kills to come within one point at 11-12, but a service ace and kills by Kelsey Murphy and Abbott secured the win for the Tigers, 11-15.

The Terps travel to Atlanta, Ga. tomorrow to take on Georgia Tech in a 7 p.m. contest.