COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Maryland volleyball team fell in straight sets (21-25, 17-25, 20-25) to Iowa Friday evening in the XFINITY Center Pavilion.
“I thought Iowa competed really hard tonight,” said head coach Steve Aird. I thought they were well prepared and their coaching staff did a great job of getting them ready to play. … I think our team is learning what it takes to win in this conference. I think we did some nice things at times, just not consistent enough to give us a shot to win the match.”
Senior outside hitter Ashleigh Crutcher led the Terps (9-13, 2-9 Big Ten) with 10 kills. Sophomore setter Carlotta Oggioni recorded her eighth double-double of the season with 13 assists and 10 digs.
The teams played a close first set to start the match. Maryland recorded 4.5 total blocks in the first set as the game was tied 10 times and the lead changed five times. The Hawkeyes (10-12, 2-9) took a 13-10 lead before the Terps were able to tie at 14. Iowa again pulled away, led by five set kills from Jess Janota, but a Oggioni service ace tied both squads at 20. The Hawkeyes tallied five of the next six points to take the first set, 25-21.
In the second set, both teams had nine kills in the game, and while the Terps held the Hawkeyes to .115 hitting percentage, Maryland posted -.027 in the set. The set once again featured 10 ties, with the final tie coming at 15. Iowa was able to take advantage of Maryland attack errors, and a service ace gave the Hawkeyes the set win and a 2-0 match lead going into intermission.
Seven of Crutcher's kills came in the third set as the Terps attempted to rally the match. In another close set, Maryland was able to take an early lead off four Crutcher kills and errors from the Hawkeyes. Iowa took the lead back off attack errors. Despite two kills from senior middle blocker Catie Coyle and another from Crutcher, the Hawkeyes were able to increase the lead to 25-20 and take the match in three sets.
Middle blockers Hailey Murray, Chavi St. Hill and Ashlyn MacGregor each made four blocks in the match. Junior libero Amy Dion made 15 digs.
The Terrapins return to action Saturday against No. 14 Nebraska at 7 p.m. in the XFINITY Center Pavilion.
