By Christian Andriolas
Maryland vs Troy – Match 1
Maryland started the fall season on the road, taking on Troy in the first of three weekend matches. The Terps swept the Trojans (25-22, 25-17, 25-21) in three straight sets – capping off their first game of the LSU Tournament with a victory.
The first set went down to the wire – with the score gridlocked at 19 apiece – before Maryland led a 4-0 run, closing out the set after critical attack errors from Troy.
Despite trailing by four late in the third set, the Terps fought back and won the set, extending their all-time season-opener win streak to four straight and 12 of their last 13.
Five Terps recorded four or more kills – led by graduate pin hitter Samantha Schnitta. In an incredible effort, Schnitta collected 10 kills while also recording eight block assists. Sam Csire contributed seven kills and three blocks from the outside hitter position.
Sophomore Eva Rohrbach played great defense from the middle blocker position ending with 11 stuffs, along with key contributions from Anastasia Russ (seven blocks, four kills). The team leader in assists was setter Sydney Dowler (22), and Lily Gunter led with 12 digs.
Maryland vs LSU – Match 2
A night matchup against LSU, the second of the Friday doubleheader, was less dominant – with the Terps eventually falling 3-1 to the Tigers.
The first set was a back and forth affair throughout, with the Terps commanding a 21-19 lead down the stretch. But after LSU pulled even to tie it up at 22 apiece, the Tigers then proceeded to score three in a row to win the set.
Maryland’s lone victory came in the second set (25-22). The Terps were dominant to start, with their largest lead being nine after a kill by Schnitta. The Tigers then scored five in a row to follow, cutting the lead to just four. Later in the set, the Tigers managed to pull within two (24-22), but the Terps held on to win a clutch set.
The third set was back-and-forth until the end when the Tigers outscored the Terps 8-3 after being tied at 17. The Terps started the fourth set off hot, scoring four straight points to begin the set. With the score tied at 10, LSU scored six in a row and kept a steady lead to win the set and match.
Maryland vs New Hampshire – Match 3
Maryland faced New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon in its final match of the weekend. A slow start plagued the Terps.
In the first set, the Terps fell behind 12-4 but fought their way back to get within one after a kill from Schnitta pulled Maryland in one. The Wildcats outscored Maryland 8-5 down the stretch though, capturing the opening frame, 25-22.
A more competitive second set saw the Terps take a 18-15 lead. Thanks to several Terps attack errors, New Hampshire finished the second set on a 10-3 and took a commanding 2-0 advantage in the match.
But the Terps didn’t go down without a fight.
Maryland went on a run in the third set, scoring seven in a row – capped off by a kill by Katie Scheer. After taking a 14-9 lead, the Terps surrendered seven points in a row thanks to excellent execution from the Wildcats. After pulling even at 23, Maryland scored two final points to win the set.
The Terps faced an early deficit in the fourth set, trailing 5-1. A late comeback was to no avail, with Maryland falling behind once more after the Wildcats scored four straight points (to lead, 19-15). Maryland then racked up four points in a row to tie it up at 20, keeping the match alive by scoring the last three points to pull out a dramatic set win (26-24).
In a decisive fifth set, Maryland dug itself into an insurmountable early deficit. Maryland staged a comeback midway through the frame, but ultimately dropped the set (15-12) and match.
Up Next:
The Terps now look ahead as they prepare to host the Maryland Tournament next weekend. Maryland opens play at 7 p.m. on Friday against Alabama A&M.
