Terps Fall In Straight Sets At No. 1 Wisconsin

Box Score MADISON, WI -- The University of Maryland volleyball team battled No. 1 Wisconsin Sunday afternoon at the UW Field House in Madison, WI, falling to the top-ranked Badgers in three sets (15-25, 12-25, 16-25).

In the contest against the top team in the nation, Maryland could not get past one of the best defenses in the country as the Terps could only muster 23 kills. On the other side, Wisconsin hit .311 in a strong defensive outing that featured 53 digs and eight blocks.

Maryland falls to 13-7 on the season with a 3-5 Big Ten mark. Wisconsin continued its undefeated season, moving to 17-0 with an 8-0 B1G record for its best start since 2020-21. The Badgers have yet to lose a set in conference play, winning 24 consecutive Big Ten sets.

How It Happened

Set 1: Wisconsin 25 - Maryland 15

The Badgers opened the contest on a 5-1 run punctuated by a Gulce Guctekin service ace.
Maryland took five of the next nine points, drawing the deficit to 9-7 with a block assist from Anastasia Russ and Samantha Schnitta.
With a 5-1 run, Wisconsin extended its advantage to 15-9 with a pair of kills from Anna Smrek.
The Terps took their second timeout of the set after Wisconsin went on a 3-0 run to increase the lead to 18-10.
Thanks to a kill and a block assist from Russ, Maryland broke off a 4-0 run to make it a 21-15 set.
Wisconsin countered with a 4-0 run of its own to clinch the opening stanza.
Wisconsin hit .355 to power its set victory, as Smrek and Sarah Franklin combined for 12 putaways in the frame.

Set 2: Wisconsin 25 - Maryland 12

After Wisconsin began the frame with a 3-0 run, Maryland countered by scoring five of the next eight rallies. Sam Csire's service ace made it a 6-5 frame.
The Badgers went on a 4-0 stretch following Csire's service ace, culminating in a pair of kills from Temi Thomas-Ailara to put Wisconsin up 10-6.
Maryland kept the frame close, with Samantha Schnitta finding hands to secure a Maryland kill to make it 16-11.
Wisconsin closed the set on a 9-1 run with service aces from Joslyn Boyer and Sarah Franklin.
Laila Ivey contributed a team-best three kills in the set.

Set 3: Wisconsin 25 - Maryland 16

Maryland kept the opening of the set close, with Sydney Dowler and Eva Rohrbach rising up for a block assist to hold the deficit to 4-3.
After the block assist, Wisconsin produced an 8-0 run to pull away with a 12-3 lead.
The Terps responded with a 6-1 scoring run, utilizing the efforts of Sydney Bryant, who contributed a pair of kills and a block assist to bring Maryland back, making the gap 14-11.
Wisconsin re-established an 18-12 lead on a 4-1 scoring run aided by two Temi Thomas-Ailara kills.
The Badgers closed out the match on a 5-1 scoring run.

Numbers to Know

1,453: Lilly Gunter picked up eight digs to put her at 1,453 career digs. The senior libero now sits just 47 away from reaching 1,500 collegiate digs.
2,974: Sydney Dowler continued her journey to 3,000 career assists, putting herself on the doorstep of the milestone with 2,974 with 18 helpers in the match.

Up Next

The Terps will return to College Park Friday for a contest against Illinois. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the match will be streamed on B1G+.
Fans are encouraged to join the Terps for a fast and fun NASCAR themed match in the Pavilion!
All local Girl Scouts are invited to attend the match for free by wearing their Girl Scout vest! All Girl Scouts in attendance will receive a Maryland Athletics patch.
Arrive early to make a poster to cheer on the Terps during the match!

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Players Mentioned

#44 Sam Csire: OH; 6' 0"; Senior

#8 Sydney Dowler: S; 6' 0"; Senior

#2 Laila Ivey: OH; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#88 Anastasia Russ: MB; 6' 5"; Redshirt Senior

#1 Samantha Schnitta: PH; 6' 0"; Senior

#4 Lilly Gunter: L; 5' 8"; Senior

#16 Sydney Bryant: OH; 5' 11"; Freshman

#17 Eva Rohrbach: MB; 6' 2"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#44 Sam Csire
: 6' 0"; Senior
: OH

#8 Sydney Dowler
: 6' 0"; Senior
: S

#2 Laila Ivey
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: OH

#88 Anastasia Russ
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Senior
: MB

#1 Samantha Schnitta
: 6' 0"; Senior
: PH

#4 Lilly Gunter
: 5' 8"; Senior
: L

#16 Sydney Bryant
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: OH

#17 Eva Rohrbach
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: MB