NORMAN, Okla. - The Maryland volleyball team (10-4) fell to host Oklahoma (6-5) and No. 3 Southern California (12-0) on the second day of the Oklahoma Invitational.
"I was pleased with my team's effort today,” head coach Steve Aird said. “I thought they showed a lot of fight against two really talented, well-coached teams. I think this weekend helped the team see what it's like to play against some of the nation's top teams, which we'll see more of when we start the Big Ten schedule next week.”
The Terps welcomed Angel Gaskin back after the opposite hitter missed seven matches to injury. Gaskin posted eight kills against Oklahoma before notching six kills vs. Southern California.
Oklahoma 3, Maryland 1
The Terps were able to take a set off the Sooners, but Oklahoma ultimately won the match, 3-1 (13-25, 23-25, 25-23, 20-25).
The Sooners controlled the first set, using a pair of blocks and and a 4-1 run to take a 12-8 lead. Oklahoma used a 9-0 run to jump out to a 24-11 lead. Outside hitter Liz Twilley was able to stymie the run with a kill, and Gaskin added another attack to push the Sooners to their third set point attempt before OU took the set.
Oklahoma continued to hold the momentum in the second half before kills from Hailey Murray and Abigail Bentz helped bring the Terps within one, 9-8. The Sooners were able to take back the lead and jumped out to a 17-13 advantage before a kill and service ace from Ashlyn MacGregor and a Sooner attack error brought Maryland within three points, 20-17. The Terps capitalized on Oklahoma attack errors and were able to pull close again, 23-22, but the Sooners were able to close the set on a Maryland service error.
Elliott started out the third set with a kill before Oklahoma pulled away with a 6-0 run. The Terps notched five of the next six points, including a kill and solo block from Murray to pull within one point. Twilley notched two straight kills to tie the set, 11-11. The Sooners pushed ahead to a 19-14 lead before a 6-1 Maryland run tied the set, 20-20. A solo block from Elliott tied the set again at 23-23 before a Sooner attack error and Elliott kill gave the Terps a 25-23 set win.
With kills from MacGregor and Elliott and a Wicinski ace, Maryland took a 3-1 lead in set four. The Sooners retook the lead, but the Terps managed to stay close, using two kills from Twilley to stay within one. Oklahoma reached match point, and the Terps forced three attempts before the Sooners finished the match.
Maryland out-dug Oklahoma, 60-55, the Terps' most digs since Sept. 5 against Penn. Three Terps recorded double-digit digs vs. the Sooners, including Amy Dion (21), Bentz (14) and Kelsey Wicinski (11).
Elliott paced Maryland with 14 kills while Twilley notched 11. Murray led the Terps with three blocks while Twilley, MacGregor and Elliott each posted two.
#3 Southern California 3, Maryland 0
The Terps battled but fell to the third-ranked Trojans, 3-0 (18-25, 15-25, 17-25) in Maryland's final match of the invitational.
Maryland stayed close with USC as Gaskin recorded two kills to pull within two, 7-5. Elliott notched a powerful kill and served an ace but the Trojans still lead, 18-11. The Terps used a 3-0 run to pull within five but the Trojans won the set.
Gaskin continued to pace the team as a kill brought the Terps to five points in the second set. Maryland took a timeout with USC leading 13-7. Four straight kills from Southern California's Alyse Ford brought the third-ranked team to an 18-9 lead before a kill from Bentz broke up the streak. Bentz served a late ace and fellow freshmen Twilley and Gaskin pushed USC, but the Trojans took a 2-0 lead in the match.
The Terps again stuck close early in the third set as a block from Bentz and Murray tied the set, 4-4. Kills from Murray and MacGregor helped keep Maryland in the match but the Trojans were still able to pull away, 20-15. USC closed the match on four of the last five points.
Twilley paced Maryland with eight kills whole Elliott and Gaskin notched six. Carlotta Oggioni led the team with 15 assists and Dion notched 10 digs.
Maryland opens Big Ten play next Friday, Sept. 25, when the Terps host No. 6 Illinois at 7 p.m. in the XFINITY Center Pavilion. The match will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
-Maryland-
