COLLEGE PARK, Md.  – Maryland volleyball grinded out a five-set win over Howard, 3-2, on a Labor Day home-opener in front of an announced crowd of 881.

The Terrapins and the Bison battled back and forth throughout the first set, but Maryland secured the first set 25-23 before letting Howard even it up following a second set in which the Terps fell flat, 24-26.

Maryland came out energized in the third and dominated the entire set, winning 25-16, but allowed Howard back into it as the Bison took the fourth set 25-21. In a fifth set that could have went either way, Maryland took control late and overcame Howard 15-9.

Now a three-match starter, freshman Rebekah Rath set a season-high in kills (12) and notched her first career ace. Erika Pritchard paced the Terps in kills for a third-straight match with 17 and led the team with 11 digs, while Katie Myers led the team in aces (4) and blocks (8). Samantha Snyder dished 23 assists on the night.

"I'm happy we were able to bounce back," said Head Coach Adam Hughes. "I thought it was a good home crowd that really helped some of the younger players to kind of step up there to finish it. Last year's preseason we lost three games in five and that was kind of the difference in making or breaking our season. Obviously happy to get a win."

Despite falling behind late in the fourth set and starting slow in the fifth, the Terps got it going with kills from Myers and Pritchard to go ahead 5-3, and wouldn't fall behind again for the rest of the match.

The Terps are now off to a 3-0 start for the sixth time in seven seasons.

Next, Maryland will travel to the UTSA Invite in San Antonio, Texas where the Terps will face off against UTSA, UT-Rio Grande Valley, and Houston.

-MARYLAND-