NORMAN, Okla. - Outside hitter Adreené Elliott led the match with 11 kills as the Maryland volleyball team (10-2) fell to No. 7 Washington (9-0), 3-0 (12-25, 25-27, 9-25) at the Oklahoma Invitational Thursday.
“I think today's match was a good test for our team,” head coach Steve Aird said. “Washington has very talented, disciplined athletes and are a top-10 team for a reason. The season is only going to get harder, and I think it's good our players saw adversity and learned about fighting through it.”
The Terps stuck with the Huskies in the first half of the first set. Washington used a 4-0 run to break ahead, 13-8. Outside hitter Emily Fraik recorded her fourth kill of the set to keep Maryland within five but five straight Washington points pushed the Huskies ahead, 21-10. Fraik notched a late kill but the Huskies took the first set, 25-12.
Elliott posted five kills in the second set as the Terps nearly became the first team of the season to hand Washington a set loss. The teams once again stayed evenly matched to start the set before the Huskies took a 15-12 lead. After a timeout, three straight kills from outside hitter Liz Twilley pushed Maryland ahead, 16-15.
After a kill from middle blocker Ashlyn MacGregor helped keep the Terps in front, two straight points from the Huskies tied the set. Washington managed to pull in front, 22-18, before two kills from Elliott and one from setter Abigail Bentz brought the Terps within one. Elliott gave Maryland a 23-22 advantage with a kill before the Huskies reached set point at 24-23. The Terps tied the match and took a 25-24 lead before three straight Washington points ended the set in the Huskies' advantage.
Washington controlled the third set, taking a 5-0 lead early. Elliott, Bentz and Twilley made kills but the Huskies pushed the lead to 16-6. Setter Whitney Craigo and MacGregor combined for a block and Elliott notched a late kill but Washington took the set and the match.
Washington is the first ranked team Maryland has faced this season. The Terps have 14 matches on their schedule against 11 ranked opponents who are either ranked or receiving votes in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll.
Craigo led the match with 20 assists while Dion led the Terps with 10 digs. Craigo also led the team with two blocks. Against Washington on 2014, no Terp notched more than seven kills or eight assists.
Washington, who leads the nation in hitting percentage, hit .351 in the match. No Husky recorded more than 10 kills against the Terps.
The Terps take on Oklahoma at noon ET and No. 3 USC at 5:30 p.m. ET on the second day of the invitational Friday.
-Maryland-
