Maryland volleyball faced one of its biggest challenges of the season, as it hosted defending national champion Penn State on the main Xfinity Center court.
The Terps usually play at the Xfinity Center Pavilion, but the home crowd on the main floor gave the team a significant home-court advantage. But it wasn’t enough to defeat the defending national champions, as No. 16 Penn State defeated Maryland 3-2 in front of one of the loudest home crowds of the year.
The main court setting created a lively, high-energy environment from the first serve. The Maryland band, cheerleaders and fans packed the stadium, giving the Terps an unusual advantage.
Penn State took immediate control of the game, taking an early 11-2 lead. All of Maryland’s attempts to climb back were immediately shut down.
Senior Ajack Malual provided a spark with two late kills as the Terps settled in. Junior Eva Rohrbach added another, while freshman Lily Wagner spread the ball across the net to keep plays alive.
After putting Maryland in an early hole, the Nittany Lions won the first set, 25-16. Penn State controlled the set, amassed 16 kills within the first set, led by Kennedy Martin and Alexis Ewing, who each had 5.
Maryland regrouped in the second and played with more rhythm. After falling behind 8-2, the Terps went on a 4-0 run out of a timeout that reignited the Xfinity Center crowd. Unfortunately for the Terps, Penn State hopped back in the driver’s seat, winning the second set 25-20.
The fans stayed positive, cheering for the team in hopes of a comeback.
“I don’t know if that led to the slow start, but we got off to a very, very slow start,” said Maryland coach Adam Hughes.
After an extended break between sets, Maryland looked like a new team.
Senior Ally Williams opened with back-to-back aces, sending the stands into a frenzy as Maryland grabbed a quick 4-1 lead.
Malual led the offense with five kills, while Rohrbach and Junior Haley Melby controlled the net with two blocks apiece. Freshman Sydney Bryant came off the bench and delivered several hits to keep the Terps in control.
Wagner’s precise setting and the crowd’s energy fueled the Terps for the remainder of the set. Malual’s final kill landed cleanly in the corner as Maryland took the third set 25-19, leading to a standing ovation from the fans.
Maryland continued to feed into the crowd in the fourth set, as the fans roared after every play. The Terps felt the energy, channeling it in their play. Rohrbach caught early fire with back-to-back aces to push the terps to a 9-6 lead. Maryland wouldn’t let up their lead, pushing harder as the crowd got louder.
“Eva [Rohrbach] is just a rock for us,” said coach Hughes. “You know, somebody that has put a lot of time into the surf and, you know, in some key moments, made some big plays.”
Penn State didn’t roll over, though, pulling the score to 17-17. The teams went back and forth with points, continuing the tie at 22-22.
Maryland broke out of the stalemate after key blocks by Malual and Sophomore Duru Gokcen. The building shook from the crowd’s energy as Maryland looked to force a decisive fifth set.
Penn State looked to silence the Terrapin crowd in the final set, causing an early 6-2 deficit after two service aces by Gillian Grimes.
Maryland’s momentum disappeared as Penn State controlled the tempo. Maryland burned both timeouts, looking to recollect themselves.
Malual landed a kill to break the run, but the Nittany Lion defense held firm.
Penn State ran away with the lead, ending the fifth set, 15-5, stopping Maryland’s attempt at a reverse sweep.
“I thought the moment might have gotten the best of us,” said Hughes, “but the only way to grow is to be in that struggle and to learn from this.”
Despite the loss, the fans created the second loudest home environment in program history.
The Terps fall to 7-7, extending their losing streak to four games. Maryland looks to gain their first Big 10 win on Friday at home against Illinois.
