Aug. 25, 2012
Box Score
VILLANOVA, Pa. -
The Maryland volleyball team knocked off New Hampshire in the morning session and swept Robert Morris in the afternoon to win both games of a Saturday doubleheader and capture the Villanova Classic title.
It took five sets, but the Terps rallied to defeat the Wildcats, 3-2 (25-23, 21-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-7), in the first match of the day. Approximately two hours later, Maryland took the floor and defeated the Colonials, 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-12).
Along with the tournament title, sophomore Adreené Elliott earned MVP honors, while junior Sarah Harper and freshman Kamrin Gold were named to the Villanova Classic All-Tournament team. Elliott finished the weekend with 26 kills (2.36 per set), a .353 hitting percentage and 13 total blocks (3 solo). Harper tallied 49 digs (4.45 per set) and 10 assists. In two matches, Gold had 18 kills (3.00 per set), eight digs and three service aces.
In Saturday's first match, the Terps overcame a 2-1 deficit to defeat New Hampshire. Senior Remy McBain had 27 assists and 17 digs for her first double-double of the season. Sophomore Ashleigh Crutcher led the Terps with 13 kills and Harper finished with 19 digs.
Maryland trailed early in the opening set before back-to-back kills by Crutcher and freshman Emily Fraik, and a New Hampshire error pulled the Terps within in one point at 13-12. But the Wildcats were able to increase their lead to five at 19-14 before Maryland began to chip away.
Following a New Hampshire service error, sophomore Mackenzie Dagostino ignited a 6-0 run with a service ace followed by consecutive kills by McBain and another Wildcat error to tie the match at 19. Elliott followed the attacking error with a kill to put Maryland ahead. The two teams traded points until another New Hampshire error gave the Terps set point. Junior Mary Cushman cashed in off of an assist from McBain to win the set 25-23.
New Hampshire responded by winning the next two sets and looked to be in control of the match leading 13-10 in the fourth set. But Maryland turned up the defense and held the Wildcats to a .000 hitting percentage to jump start the comeback.
The Terps scored the next five points including kills from Crutcher, Elliott and Gold to take a 15-14 lead. Maryland held the lead until New Hampshire tied the set at 20. But Crutcher recorded a kill, and after a Wildcat error, combined with Elliott to block a Wildcat attack and put Maryland up 23-20. The Terps went on to win the set 25-22.
Maryland carried the momentum into the final set and ran away with the match. The Terps hit .312 in the fifth set and held the Wildcats to a -.105 hitting percentage. The Terrapins raced out to a 9-2 lead and did not allow New Hampshire to get closer than five points. Maryland won the set 15-7.
The afternoon session did not provide as much suspense. The Terps again displayed a stout defense as they held Robert Morris to a .053 hitting percentage. Gold turned in the best performance of her young career with 11 kills and Dagostino notched 22 assists.
The Colonials hung tight in the opening set, but at 15-13, Maryland scored the next four points to take control. Gold had four kills in the first set and McBain added three, while the Terps combined for four blocks. Maryland won the opening frame 25-20.
The Terps trailed early in the second set, but recovered to tie the match at 9-9. Senior Caitlin Adams sparked a 5-0 run with a kill to put the Terps up 15-9 a lead Maryland would not relinquish. The Terps held off a late Colonials rally to clinch a 25-21 victory. Crutcher and Gold combined for seven kills during the set.
The third set followed a similar script to the fifth set of the New Hampshire match. The Terps jumped out to an 8-1 lead behind two kills from Gold and two service aces from Dagostino. Robert Morris never threatened and the Terps won the set 25-12. Gold recorded four more kills, and Elliott and McBain tallied three each in the final set.
The Terps play host to Binghamton, Ohio State and Seton Hall next weekend in the Maryland Invitational. Maryland takes on Seton Hall on Friday, Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. in the team's home opener.
