COLLEGE PARK, Md. – In its second match in two days, the Maryland volleyball team fell, 3-0 (11-25, 14-25, 20-25), to Michigan Saturday evening in the XFINITY Center Pavilion.
“Michigan played really well,” said head coach Steve Aird. “We didn't do a lot to stop them. I thought they made really big plays. They're very well coached – two years ago they were in the Final Four. They're a program that can get hot, and it is what it is.”
Freshman middle blocker Hailey Murray led the Terps (7-12, 0-8 Big Ten) with nine kills on .312 hitting and four blocks. Through eight conference matches, Murray is averaging 2.36 kills per set on .319 hitting, and leads the team with 1.18 blocks per set.
The Wolverines (9-7, 5-3) took a quick first set victory, 25-11. Hitting .556 on 16 kills with just one error, Michigan took advantage of Maryland errors. The Terps were unable to build any momentum as Caroline Knop made five kills and Lexi Dannemiller recorded 12 assists.
Knop led Michigan to a 25-14 second set win on five kills and .500 hitting. The Terps and Wolverines tied early at two before Michigan took a 12-5 run for a 14-7 lead.
Maryland began pressing in the third set. Despite the Wolverines taking a 19-9 lead, the Terps refused to give up and scored 10 of the next 16 points. Junior outside hitter Emily Fraik made three kills while Murray and senior middle blocker Catie Coyle each made one. Sophomore middle blockers Chavi St. Hill and Ashlyn MacGregor, Fraik and Murray combined for two crucial blocks near the end of the set.
The Terps scored three straight points with the Wolverines on the verge of a match point, but Michigan ultimately took the set win, 25-20. The Terps hit .417 with 13 kills and three errors in the third set.
Freshman defensive specialist Samantha Higginbothem and junior libero Amy Dion each made seven digs. Murray and St. Hill each had four blocks while sophomore setter Whitney Craigo dished 14 assists.
The Terps return to the Pavilion Tuesday to take on fellow Big Ten newcomer Rutgers (7-14, 0-8) at 8 p.m. Both teams will be looking for their first conference win on the big stage as the match will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
