BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Maryland volleyball team received standout performances from its freshmen but the Terps fell, 3-1 (25-20, 24-26, 22-25, 22-25), to Indiana Friday evening.
“I thought the team played well tonight compared to last weekend,” head coach Steve Aird said. “We wanted to close out those late games, but we are playing a young lineup. There are some growing pains right now, but I think we're improving. Credit to Indiana for playing well tonight.”
In her first match starting at libero, Kelsey Wicinski notched 10 digs and served a career-high four aces. Fellow freshman Liz Twilley notched 16 kills on .333 hitting.
Outside hitter Adreené Elliott led the match with 17 kills on .213 hitting. Defensive specialist Amy Dion led Maryland with 14 digs.
Five Terps posted four or more blocks, led by five from Ashlyn MacGregor. Hailey Murray, Whitney Craigo and Elliott each posted four blocks each.
Maryland started the match with a quick 7-2 lead, highlighted by a service ace from Elliott and a block from Angel Gaskin and Murray. The Terps continued to control the set as they jumped out to a 13-7 lead and a second ace from Elliott put Maryland ahead, 17-10. Three straight kills from Elliott ended the set, 25-20.
Indiana took an 8-3 lead in set two with three straight kills from Mallory Waggoner. Twilley tallied three mid-set kills as the Terps pulled within four. Wicinski served two aces as Maryland recorded four straight points to pull within four, 18-14. Twilley and Elliott notched late kills but the Hoosiers won the second set, 26-24.
Murray notched two kills early in set three as the team stayed evenly matched. Gaskin and Twilley posted kills to tie the set but the Hoosiers used three straight points to take a lead. Murray again tied the set, 18-18, but Indiana again used three straight points to close the set, 25-22.
Three kills from Elliott helped out the Terps head, 5-3, in set four. A Hoosier service error kept the Maryland lead, 10-9. The teams stayed closely matched for the rest of the set before three straight Hoosier points put Indiana up, 20-17. With the Hoosiers at match point, the Terps extended three times with a kill from Elliott and an Indiana attack error before the home team was able to close the match, 25-22.
The Terps are back in action Saturday at No. 18 Purdue. Opening serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. on BTN Plus.
-Maryland-
