IOWA CITY, Iowa - Three Terrapins posted double-digit kills as the Maryland volleyball team defeated Iowa in four sets Friday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Terps (12-13, 2-9 B1G) took down the Hawkeyes (10-14, 0-11) by set scores of 19-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-23.
“I was proud that the team found a way to win,” head coach Steve Aird said. “I think Iowa played hard tonight, but at times we did some nice things. I think we still have some things to work on, but it was a good night for the program.”
Senior outside hitter Adreené Elliott led Maryland with 16 kills while junior middle blocker Ashlyn MacGregor set a career high with 14 kills. Freshman outside hitter Liz Twilley also added 14 kills, and the trio hit .267 or higher on the night.
Junior setter Whitney Craigo dished out 50 assists while a trio of Terps posted double-digit digs, led by 27 from freshman libero Kelsey Wicinski. MacGregor and freshman opposite hitter Angel Gaskin each notched four blocks.
The Hawkeyes controlled the first set, using a 6-0 run to take a 7-2 lead. Gaskin posted a kill to spark a 5-1 Maryland run as the Terps pulled within three, 20-17. Craigo and MacGregor combined for a late block but the Hawkeyes used two straight points to win the first set, 25-19.
Maryland rebounded quickly to even the match. Twilley notched two kills and a solo block as the Terps took a 6-4 lead. A kill from MacGregor pushed the lead to 12-9 and another kill from the middle blocker forced an Iowa timeout at 18-14. MacGregor served an ace to push the Terps ahead, 23-18. Maryland capitalized on Iowa errors to take the set, 25-20.
The Hawkeyes took an early lead in set three before the Terps took control with a pair of kills from Elliott and one from Craigo. Two Iowa attack errors pushed Maryland ahead, 11-8. A kill from Hailey Murray helped push the Terps ahead, 18-14. A pair of Elliott kills put Maryland at 21-17 as Iowa called a timeout. The Hawkeyes posted three straight points before a block from Twilley and a MacGregor kill won the set, 25-22.
Iowa took a 10-7 lead in set four before a 5-0 run gave the Terps a 12-10 lead. The Hawkeyes continued to stay with the Terps, but kills from Twilley and Gaskin helped push Maryland ahead, 22-19. Iowa pulled within one at 22-21 but an Elliott kill put the Terps at match point, 24-22. The Hawkeyes extended the set with a kill before another Elliott kill gave Maryland a 25-23 set win and a 3-1 match victory.
The Terps hit .237 in the match, including a .357 clip in the fourth set. Elliott led the Terps with a .295 hitting percentage.
This is the first time in program history the Terps have defeated Iowa. The Hawkeyes hold a 2-1 series advantage.
The Terps are back in action Saturday at No. 9 Nebraska. The match will be streamed on BTN Plus at 8 p.m. ET.
-Maryland-
