Box Score WEST LAFAYETTE, IN — Despite a career-best performance from Samantha Schnitta and a stout defensive effort, the University of Maryland volleyball team closed out its road slate for the 2023 season on Saturday night, falling to No. 16 Purdue, 3-0 (24-26, 21-25, 25-27) at Holloway Gymnasium in West Lafayette, IN.
 
The Terps held early leads in each of the first two sets, but allowed the ranked Boilermakers to take control in the middle of each set. Maryland battled back late in each of the frames, forcing a deuce set in the first by fighting off four set points, but couldn't complete the comeback effort. In the second, the Terps embarked on another four-point run, but the offense came too little too late. In the third, Maryland battled back from a six-point deficit and had the chance to extend the match at set point, but Purdue put the match away in another deuce set.
 
Maryland played a defensively stingy contest, rejecting 13 blocks in the affair while picking up 51 digs (17 digs per set) as a group. Freshman middle blocker Eva Rohrbach and redshirt senior Anastasia Russ each had strong outings at the net, tallying six swats apiece, while senior libero Lilly Gunter notched her 20th double-digit dig outing with 11 digs.

The potent Purdue offense was limited to just a .154 hitting percentage, nine points below its season average, as a result. 
 
On offense, Samantha Schnitta followed up her best performance of the season Friday against Indiana by scoring a career-high 19 kills, leading the Terps. Senior setter Sydney Dowler added a double-double effort with 27 assists and 10 digs.
 
Purdue was led by its powerful attacking duo of Eva Hudson and Chloe Chicoine, as the pair combined for 30 putaways.
 
The Terps drop to 16-14 with a 6-12 Big Ten record, while the Boilermakers continue their five-match win streak and move to 19-8 with a 12-5 conference mark.
 
How It Happened
 
Set 1: Purdue 26 - Maryland 24

• After Purdue opened the scoring, Maryland strung together three points with a Samantha Schnitta kill and back-to-back blocks from Eva Rohrbach.
• Rohrbach added two more blocks as the Terps opened a gap through an 8-1 scoring stretch, building an 11-5 advantage.
• The Boilermakers crept back with a three-point swing, but a trio of Purdue errors reestablished the six-point lead at 15-9.
• A 5-1 run for the Boilermakers brought Purdue's deficit to 16-14.
• Purdue looked to have the set tied at 17, but an overturned challenge from Adam Hughes kept the Maryland advantage.
• With a kill and service ace from Eva Hudson, Purdue reclaimed the lead at 19-18.
• Hudson's points came as part of a 5-0 run, putting Purdue up 22-19.
• Maryland fought off four set points, forcing a deuce set at 24 all with a double block from Sam Csire and Anastasia Russ.
• Kills from Hudson and Chloe Chicoine wrapped up the set.
• Maryland's defense held strong with five blocks and 22 digs in the frame.
• Schnitta led the Terps with five kills in the frame, while Hudson and Chicoine combined for 13 of the Boilermakers' 16 putaways.

 
Set 2: Purdue 25 - Maryland 21

• Erin Morrissey opened the scoring with a kill.
• The Terps jumped out to an early 5-2 edge on the strength of two Eva Rohrbach blocks.
• Purdue scored four straight, taking a 6-5 lead with two Raven Colvin service aces.
• After the Terps leveled the set at 8, errors led to three-point Boilermaker stretch.
• Maryland pulled the frame to 14-12 but two kills from Chloe Chicoine, two Colvin service aces and two Boilermaker blocks sparked a 6-0 run.
• With their backs against the wall, Maryland went on a four-point run with two kills from Schnitta.
• Ultimately, the comeback effort fell short, as Hudson closed the door on the set with a kill.
• Colvin produced four service aces in the set.

 
Set 3: Purdue 27 - Maryland 25

• Maryland grabbed the set's first run, putting up three straight points with a kill and block from Anastasia Russ.
• Purdue gained control with a 4-0 run featuring a block and kill from Lourdes Myers to go up 11-8.
• Another four-point run from the Boilermakers netted them a six-point advantage.
• The Terps embarked on a four-point streak of their own, making use of two Eva Rohrbach kills to pull the deficit to 16-14.
• A Sydney Dowler and Anastasia Russ double block tied the frame at 19.
• After Purdue gained a two-point lead, kills from Russ and Samantha Schnitta tied the set at 21.
• Maryland got to set point on Schnitta's 18th kill of the contest.
• Purdue forced a deuce set and sat at match point, but Schnitta leveled the score at 25 apiece.
• Kills from Chicoine and Hudson closed out the match.

 
Numbers to Know

• 12: Maryland compiled 13 blocks, marking the 12th time this season the Terps have had double-digit blocks. 
• 19: Samantha Schnitta led Maryland in kills for a second consecutive match, compiling a career-hgih 19 putaways.
• 20: Lilly Gunter had her 20th match with double-digit digs, contributing 11.

 
Up Next

• The Terps start their season-ending homestand with a showdown against No. 14 Penn State Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at the XFINITY Center Pavilion.
• Fans are encouraged to wear red as we Red Out Penn State.
• In the spirit of Thanksgiving, fans can stop by the marketing table to write down and display what you are thankful for this season.