Sept. 12, 2009

Box Score

WASHINGTON - The University of Maryland volleyball team employed a balanced offensive attack and solid back-row defense, led by freshman Sam Rosario's season-high 21 digs, to sweep the William & Mary Tribe, 3-0, Saturday afternoon at the Georgetown Classic.

Sophomore Lisa Scott and freshman Kara Bates paced Maryland with nine kills apiece, while three others finished with six or more, as the Terps won by scores of 25-22, 26-24 and 25-21. With the victory, the Terps improved to 6-3 on the season, matching last season's win total.

The Tribe (6-3) jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the opening set, but the Terps rebounded to come back and take the opener by three points.

The second set was close throughout. The Terps carried a small lead most of the way, fluctuating between a two and four-point advantage until the Tribe finally drew even at 19-19. A Cassie Crumal service ace put William & Mary up 20-19, forcing a Maryland timeout.

After the timeout, the teams traded points until the Tribe served for the set at 24-23. However, Bates staved off elimination with a kill from Sharon Strizak to tie the score. Sophomore Maddi Lee followed with another Maryland kill and Bates clinched the set with a service ace.

Maryland led for the majority of the third set, thanks to a big run in the middle of the proceedings. With the score tied at 10, the Terps rode the back of Rosario's powerful serve to pull away to a 16-10 lead. Rosario, the Atlantic Coast Conference leader in service aces, added two of her three aces in the match during the pivotal run.

William & Mary got no closer than three points down the rest of the match.

Senior Katie Usher continued to hit well, recording seven kills on a match-best .538 hitting. Lee added eight kills and Brittney Grove had a solid overall match with six kills, seven digs and three blocks. Scott led all players with four blocks.

Lauren Powell led the Tribe with nine kills.

The Terps return to action at 7 p.m. Saturday night for the final match of the Georgetown Classic against the host Hoyas.

- TERPS -