Sept. 25, 2009

Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Junior Brittney Grove recorded eight kills and a season-high 13 digs for the Terrapins' volleyball team Friday evening at Comcast Pavilion, but the visiting Duke Blue Devils held Maryland to .072 hitting to win in three sets, 25-12, 25-18 and 25-20.

Duke (12-2, 2-0 ACC) took control of the match from the opening serve, starting the first set on an 8-0 run. The Blue Devils never led by less than six points after the initial scoring surge and held the Terps (9-6, 1-1 ACC) to .038 hitting in the set.

Maryland was much more competitive in the second set, playing to an 11-11 tie. However, Duke scored the next three points to force a Maryland timeout. The Terps were within striking distance, down 19-17, but the Blue Devils finished the set on a 6-1 run.

The Terps came out re-focused in the third stanza and appeared poised to send the match to a fourth set. A kill from Grove gave Maryland a five-point lead at 13-8. But a service error on the ensuing play started a big Duke run. Claire Smalzer's serve resulted in five consecutive points and a 14-13 Blue Devils' lead.

Duke held a slim, one-point advantage at 17-16 before putting away the match with another long run, eventually winning by five.

Senior Katie Usher recorded five block assists for the Terps to move into third place on the school's all-time list, passing Mary Beth Brown.

Rachael Moss paced Duke with 11 kills to go with 11 digs.

Maryland returns to action at 5 p.m. Saturday for another Atlantic Coast Conference match with Wake Forest.

Fans planning on attending Saturday's match are reminded that parking will be affected by the football game at 3:30 p.m. against Rutgers. All football parking restrictions will be lifted at 3:30 and fans will be able to park wherever a space is available.

- TERPS -