Maryland Volleyball fell to No. 3 ranked Nebraska in four sets, continuing a four-game conference losing streak. 

The Terps came into the matchup struggling to start Big Ten play. Maryland’s first three conference matches all resulted in losses, the last two going to five sets. That reveals a growing themeas the Terps are 0-4 when matches go to five.

Nebraska has been electric all year, only losing once in their first twelve games. The Cornhuskers came into this match undefeated in Big Ten play and 3-1 against other ranked teams. Nebraska leads the Big Ten in both digs per set and is holding their opponents under 11 kills per set, so it was an anticipated defensive battle.

The match was played in front of the second largest crowd the Pavilion has seen. Emotions and nerves were riding high but watching Rainelle Jones and Laila Ricks dance around pregame, it seemed to be just another game. 

“I think it calms everybody else down because I think some people had nerves coming in. And we look to our leaders to really like for that support that we need and like seeing them lose it like loosens me up and loosens everybody else up,” said Milan Gomillion. 

The first set was an early show of strength for Nebraska. The Cornhuskers dominated the set after trailing early. A 9-0 scoring run propelled them to a four-point lead. Nebraska continued to hold the lead from there, winning the set, 25-18.

Maryland started the second set with a block party tallying four blocks in the first 12 points, resulting in a 6-6 tie. The teams continued to battle it out in the set, with the lead changing hands many times.

Nebraska was able to break away and gain a 21-16 lead, but that didn’t stop the resilience of the Terps. Nebraska was at match point when the Terps rattled off four straight blocks to cut the Nebraska lead to one. The set ended with a Sam Csire attacking error giving the Cornhuskers a 2-0 advantage going into intermission. 

The Terps were determined to win set three, and with a 4-0 run, they positioned themselves to do so, earning an early 8-4 lead. Maryland held that lead throughout the set, getting key run-stopping kills from Csire when Nebraska threatened.

The Terps won the set, 25-21, behind an outstanding performance from Laila Ivey. Ivey’s six kills in the set helped what was a dormant Maryland offense, erupt for 15 kills.

Nebraska came out in the fourth set and quickly ended any momentum the Terps hoped to carry over from the third set. The Cornhuskers jumped out to an early lead and continued to build on it during the set.

Maryland responded, keeping the match close and tying the score at 22 behind a strong 5-0 scoring run. 

The Terps then committed their sixth service error of the game to give the lead back to the Cornhuskers. Nebraska finished the set with back-to-back blocks to win the match.

Maryland was very high errors throughout the game, totaling 41 errors. 13 of those 41 errors came in the first set.

Maryland is now 0-7 when they drop the first set. The Terps have struggled to start since Big Ten play began, losing the first set in all conference games this year, something coach Adam Hughes knows needs improvement.

“In the first set, we held them to .160 [hitting percentage], and they had eight kills, and they find a way to win, but realistically we were a little nervous, Hughes said.

Despite the loss there are some positives the Terps can take away from this game. 

Maryland kept themselves in most of the sets they played, and they found a way to close out the third set for a win, something Hughes was glad to see.

“They got a three-point run and so 21-19, and you can feel the pressure coming back. And I think that’s important for us, that we can stand tall of that pressure and found a way to win that third set. So, if anything, that’s probably my biggest takeaway was that, we can close, and we need to learn how to close,” said Hughes. 

Laila Ivey continued to dominate, amassing 25 kills over the weekend and becoming a consistent scoring option next to Sam Csire on the outside. The defense continues to be Maryland’s calling card, and they showed up with 17 blocks. 

Maryland’s record is now 9-7 on the year, and they are still without a conference victory.

Maryland will have Monday off before prepping for a rematch against Illinois at The Pavilion on Friday.