Aug. 30, 2008

Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. - The University of Maryland received a combined total of 19 kills and seven blocks from middle blockers Lisa Scott and Katie Usher and the Terrapins swept the host Virginia Commonwealth Rams to salvage their third and final match of the VCU Third Degree Sportswear Invitational in Richmond, Va. Saturday evening.

The Terps won by scores of 25-22, 25-19 and 26-24 to give head coach Tim Horsmon his first victory at Maryland.

The Terps (1-2) got off to a good start, erasing several three-point deficits to take the first set by a score of 25-22. Sophomore libero Bethany Springer led an improved defensive effort, recording seven digs in the session. Usher posted four kills in the set, including the clincher. Scott converted all three of her attack attempts for kills. Junior Hayley Hanson notched 12 assists.

After the set-one win, Maryland came out on fire in the second set, jumping out to a 10-2 lead. However, the Terps could not put the set away as the Rams (2-1) roared back to tie things at 13 apiece. The Terps would never relinquish their lead, though, answering the Rams with three straight points and a 10-3 run to re-take control of the set. A Katie Usher kill ended the set and put the Terps up 2-0.

Usher was a perfect 3-for-3 on attack attempts and added two blocks. Scott continued to dominate at the net, as well, adding another four kills. Junior Maggie Schmelzle had three digs and two blocks in the session. Sophomore Michelle Kenning had three kills in the second set. Maryland out-hit VCU .323 to .032.

After dropping the first two sets on its home court, VCU came out inspired in the third set and grabbed a 9-4 lead. The Rams went up 19-13 and seemed to be in control on things, but the Terps didn't wilt, ripping off five straight points to pull within one. Maryland tied the set at 20 on a Kenning kill, but VCU re-took the lead on the next point on a service error by Usher. An attack error gave the Terps a 22-21 lead and another Kenning kill put the Terps up two at 23-21, forcing the Rams to call timeout.

The Rams notched the next three points to go up 24-23, but the Terps rallied for three consecutive points and the match victory. Schmelzle recorded the last two kills for the Terps, both on assists from Kenning.

Kenning led the Terps in kills for the third straight match with 13, while Usher had 10 and Scott had nine. Usher also added five blocks to her ledger. Hanson recorded 35 assists in the victory.

Maryland out-hit VCU .193 to .121.

Kenning was the lone Terps to make the all-tournament team.

The Terps are back in action next weekend as they host the Spring Hill Suites at Arundel Mills Invitational in College Park, Md. Nationally-prominent programs Missouri, Kentucky and St. John's are the other schools participating.

VCU Third Degree Sportswear Invitational All-Tournament Team