By: Sammi Silber

Though the Maryland Terrapins put up a fight in the third set, they struggled Saturday and fell 3-0 to the Wisconsin Badgers.

In the first set, the Terps struggled from the get-go, falling 8-1 after an amazing performance from Wisconsin’s setter Lauren Carlini. As the Terps attempted a comeback, they couldn’t keep up the pace and eventually took a timeout as the score escalated to 18-8. Maryland couldn’t regain momentum, and eventually, fell 25-12.

The Terps seemed a bit more determined in the second set, starting off the game with a bit more fight. After Maryland tied the game 6-6, the Badgers went on a six-point run to take a commanding 12-6 lead. With a combination of kills from freshman Gia Milana and company, as well as a barrage of Wisconsin attack errors, Maryland made the score 16-10. However, they would fall behind again, and the Terps would find themselves falling 25-18.

Maryland came out with a different mindset for the third set, and seemed ready to take command of the game. Junior Hailey Murray started the match with three kills, and sophomore Liz Twilley stepped in to carry Maryland to a 6-5 lead early on. A five-point run by the Badgers eventually put Maryland back behind, but the Terps didn’t stop there. Twilley and Murray combined for three kills, and their firepower, as well as help from Milana, would tie the game at fifteen. However, their rally wasn’t enough, and Maryland fell 25-21.

Sophomore Kelsey Wicinski and senior Ashlyn MacGregor were standout players of the game and put up strong performances, leading the match with 17 digs and six blocks respectively. Milana led the team with nine kills.

The Terps will travel to Iowa to take on the Hawkeyes Wednesday at 8 p.m., continuing to stack up against tough Big Ten competition.