FAIRFAX, Va. – Senior Adreené Elliott registered a match-high 18 kills to lead the Maryland volleyball team to a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Lehigh at the Patriot Invitational in Fairfax, Va., Friday evening.
The Terps (4-0, 0-0 Big Ten) dropped the opening set before rallying to win three straight to take the match. The round robin tournament also includes East Tennessee State, William & Mary and host George Mason.
Spurred by an 8-2 run to begin the frame, the Mountain Hawks captured the first set, despite the Terps clawing back within one point late in the set.
The Terps leveled the match in a very tight second set. The two teams went back and forth before an Emily Fraik kill and a Lehigh error gave Maryland the set, 27-25.
The third set saw the Terps prevent the Mountain Hawks from getting within five points after building a 14-9 lead. Sophomore Carlotta Oggioni starred in the frame, totaling 12 assists and three aces, including one on set point.
Maryland had an easy time of it in the fourth set, winning 12 of the last 15 points to take the set 25-15 and clinch the match. The Terps registered a .333 team hitting percentage in the final set.
Fraik led the Terps in digs with 17 while junior Amy Dion notched 15 digs of her own. Fraik was also second on the team in kills with 12.
The 4-0 start is Maryland's first since 2005. That season the Terps began the year 14-0 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Maryland finishes play in the Patriot Invitational tomorrow with two matches. The Terps will face East Tennessee State at noon before a showdown with George Mason at 6 p.m.
