#21 Southern California
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Maryland
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Sophomore libero Kelsey Wicinski led the match with 17 digs as the Maryland volleyball team (8-4) fell to No. 21 Southern California (8-3) in three sets on Friday evening. The Terps fell by set scores of 25-19, 25-19, 25-23.
Wicinski was named to the all-tournament team. She was selected to the all-tournament team in each of Maryland's nonconference weekends.
Freshman outside hitter Gia Milana led the team with 12 kills while freshman setter Taylor Smith notched 27 assists. Senior middle blocker Ashlyn MacGregor tied for the match lead with five blocks.
The Trojans began the match with a 6-1 lead, and worked out to a 10-3 advantage. Maryland took a timeout down 15-4, and used three straight points to cut into the lead. Junior defensive specialist Samantha Higginbothem served an ace to pull Maryland closer, 16-10. The Terps continued to make runs, and Milana knocked down a kill to bring the set to 21-15. After a 3-1 Maryland run, USC called timeout ahead 23-18. The Trojans managed to close the set, 25-19.
The Terps stuck with Southern California early in set two as Wicinski served an ace to pull within one, 6-5. MacGregor hit a kill and a block to give Maryland an 8-7 advantage. The Terps worked out to a 10-7 lead, and sophomore opposite hitter Angel Gaskin knocked down two kills to put Maryland ahead 13-9. USC tallied three straight to tie the set, 14-14, and the teams tied again at 17-17. The Trojans retook the lead with three straight points and managed to maintain the lead, winning the set 25-19.
USC took an early lead in set three, but the Terps were able to hang within two points of the host, helped by a pair of kills from Smith. Sophomore outside hitter Liz Twilley and MacGregor combined for a block at 16-13, but USC was able to push ahead, 18-14. MacGregor served back-to-back aces as Southern California led 19-17, and the Trojans notched the next two points. Milana tallied a kill and an ace late, and Twilley tied the set with a kill at 22-22. Junior middle blocker Hailey Murray posted a kill to tie again, 23-23, but USC posted the next two points to win the set, 25-23.
The Terps open Big Ten Conference play next weekend at No. 3 Minnesota and No. 6 Wisconsin.
-Maryland-
