Nov. 22, 2009

Box Score

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Led by a career high-tying 18 kills from senior Katie Usher, the University of Maryland volleyball team went to No. 15 Florida State Sunday afternoon and went to-to-toe with the Seminoles for much of the match before coming up short in three sets, 25-22, 25-23 and 25-9.

The Terps (13-19, 5-14) proved to be a pesky bunch for the Seminoles (27-2, 18-1), but Florida State was able to escape unscathed and clinch the outright Atlantic Coast Conference championship and an NCAA Tournament berth.

Maryland grabbed an 11-6 lead in the opening set as Usher posted three quick kills, forcing Florida State to call timeout. The Seminoles fought their way back in and took the lead, but the Terps were in striking distance late, down only one at 23-22. But a Seminole kill and service ace earned the set for Florida State.

In the second set, it was Florida State jumping out to a big lead early, only to see it taken away. Trailing 11-5, the Terps fought back with eight unanswered points to grab a two-point advantage. The lead exchanged hands several times from that point and the score was tied at 23 in the closing stages. However, like the first set, Florida State took the win with back-to-back points to grab a 2-0 lead heading into the break.

After narrowly avoiding defeat in the first two sets, Florida State left no doubt in the third, hitting .650 in the frame to win by 16 points.

Usher was fantastic in spearheading Maryland's upset bid, tying her career with 18 kills while also tying her season high with a .667 hitting percentage. Unfortunately for Maryland, Usher's performance wasn't enough to overcome Florida State's balanced attack.

Mira Djuric led the Seminoles with 11 kills, Stephanie Neville recorded eight and Rachael Morgan and Fatma Yildirim each contributed seven.

Maryland concludes its season at 3 p.m. Wednesday when Boston College visits Comcast Pavilion.

- TERPS -