Sept. 21, 2007
Box Score
DURHAM, N.C. -
The University of Maryland volleyball team lost in four games Friday night against the defending Atlantic Coast Conference champion, and 14th-ranked, Duke Blue Devils. The final score was 30-18, 30-21, 33-35, 30-25 in Duke's favor.
Maryland's offense struggled in the first two games, hitting .097 and .051, respectively, while the Blue Devils (7-3, 2-0) hit .485 and .333.
After falling behind big early in the first two games, the Terps (8-3, 0-2) came out clicking in the third frame, grabbing an early 5-1 lead, only to see the Blue Devils fire back and take the lead late. However, the Terps didn't quit, despite being in hostile territory at Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Terps successfully fought off six Duke match points to rally for the victory, sealed by a tandem block from sophomore Katie Usher (Vienna, Va.) and junior Mary Beth Brown (Vienna, Va).
The Terps carried the momentum from the game-three win into game No. 4, matching the Blue Devils most of the way and even holding a pair of late leads before Duke took over late to take the match.
Usher led the Terps in kills with 12, followed by freshman Michelle Kenning (Cincinnati, Ohio) with 10 and Mary Beth Brown and senior Beth Gillming (Cincinnati, Ohio) with eight each.
Senior Jade Brown (Atlanta, Ga.) continued to play well in her move to middle blocker, tying for the team lead in blocks with seven alongside Mary Beth Brown. Usher had six blocks.
Junior Maggie Schmelzle led the Terps with 16 digs in her first game after moving from outside hitter to libero.
Freshman Rachel Profit (Washington, D.C.) led the Terps in assists with 23, while sophomore Hayley Hanson (Huntington Beach, Calif.) recorded 22.
Overall, the Terps were out-hit .296-.164.
Duke senior middle blocker Carrie DeMange led all players with 27 kills, more than twice any other player on the court.
The loss was Maryland's fourth straight to Duke.
The Terps will go for their first conference victory Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Wake Forest.
Gametracker for Wake Forest.
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