By: Christian Andriolas

Maryland volleyball won its third straight match beating Ohio State in four sets (25-22, 25-18, 18-25, 25-21) Friday night. Maryland improves to 13-13 (4-11 B1G) with the win. 

“Just got some momentum going where we get over the hump,” said head coach Adam Hughes.

Set one was back and forth between Maryland and Ohio State, with neither team able to gain much of a lead. 

Maryland took its largest lead of the set — 18-15 — with two straight service aces by graduate pin hitter Samantha Schnitta. Those scores put her atop Maryland’s record books as the program leader in total aces in a season.

“I give huge credit to her to take the journey, not fear the mistakes,” said Hughes. “Each match, she’s more intentional to it. When she’s having success, she’s still trying to craft more.” 

The Buckeyes kept it close but the Terps scored the final two points to win the set 25-22. 

The Terps dominated the second set. 

Maryland never trailed, eventually closing out the Buckeyes with a Schnitta kill (18) to win the set 25-18. 

The Buckeyes played their best in set three. 

Ohio State jumped out to an early lead, but Maryland battled back. 

With the Terps trailing 16-13, Schnitta and freshman pin hitter Katie Scherer combined to score four points in a row to give the Terps the lead. 

The Buckeyes scored the final seven points to win the set 25-18. 

Set four was back-and-forth once again. 

With the score tied 20-20, the Terps took control. 

Fifth-year outside hitter Sam Csire fueled the Terps set four win with a kill — serving for the final two points — giving Maryland its third-straight victory. 

“I thought we were really good from 20 [points] on,” Hughes said. “And that’s one of the things that’s been costing us early in the season.” 

Maryland returns home Sunday to face no. 4 Penn State at 2:30 for the second time this season.