Sept. 11, 2010

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - In one of its most productive matches of the season, Maryland defeated Tulane in a thrilling 3-1 victory to claim the crown of the Spring Hill Suites at Arundel Mills Terrapin Invitational. As a team the Terrapins notched season-highs in attacks (51), total attacks (134), kills (57), digs (58) and blocks (11) against the Green Wave. The Terps also defeated Fairfield earlier in the day in a convincing 3-0 sweep.

"We showed great determination and I am really proud of our total effort," head coach Tim Horsmon said.

Junior Lisa Scott walked away with the tournament MVP title and was joined by sophomore Remy McBain and senior Michelle Kenning on the All-Tournament team. McBain earned her second double-double of the weekend with a season-high 45 assists and career-high 14 digs against Tulane. Kenning's senior leadership showed on the floor tonight as she was effective on both the offensive and defensive sides adding nine kills to career-best five digs and three blocks.

Scott, who battled a sore ankle all weekend, earned a .750 hitting clip against Penn on Friday and made nine kills and registered six blocks against Tulane this evening.

"There isn't really anyone else who can fill my [middle blocker] spot and I didn't want to put the team in a bad situation," said Scott.

"I am really happy with how Lisa played tonight," said Horsmon. "She showed a lot of mental and physical toughness. She made no excuses. We wouldn't have won [against Tulane] without her."

Maryland had cruised to a 25-13 win in the first set, led by freshman Mary Cushman with four kills and a .400 team hitting percentage. The next three sets would not come as easy to either team. Tulane claimed the second stanza, 25-22, but not before the score tied 14 times and leads were swapped five.

The next set could provide a momentum swing for either side. Maryland started the third set playing catch up. Down by three, the Terrapins went on a 4-0 run sparked by three straight kills from Kenning. The Terps capped off the run with an ace from junior Maddi Lee. Although the Green Wave never remained far behind it was the energy surge Maryland needed. The Terrapins ended it on an 8-1 run using six blocks to shut out Tulane.

The fourth and final set was another close one. The Terps had to fight from behind to overcome Tulane. The two teams knotted the score eight times but the lead only changed once, and that was only after a kill from Cushman pushed the Terrapins to 22-21. Cushman sealed the deal with a kill for a 25-22 decision. The Rochester, N.Y., native ended the day with a career-high .609 hitting percentage.

"It was 17-17 and we were coming up from behind," Horsmon said. "And when it mattered most we came up with the big plays."

Earlier in the day the Terrapins defeated the Fairfield Stags, 3-0. Cushman led the Terps with a .600 clip and 10 kills. Freshman defensive specialist Sarah Harper came up with some big plays for the Terrapins recording two kills, an assist and a career-best five digs.

Next up for Maryland is the Villanova Invitational in Philadelphia, Pa. The Terps return home to open Atlantic Coast Conference competition against Boston College on Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 5 p.m.

Stay tuned to umterps.com for all your up-to-date volleyball information!

-Go Terps-