Volleyball drops two of three matches at Sports Imports Classic

It seemed as if the Terrapins volleyball team was going to roar into ACC play. Then Saturday came.

Winning five of its past six matches, the Terps were looking stronger than ever when they swept Akron, 3-0, on Friday night at the opener of the Sports Imports Classic in Columbus, Ohio. But then the wheels came off on what could've been a defining road trip for the Terps.

The Terps were swept by Albany and then fell to the host and champion of the tournament, No. 25 Ohio State, 3-1. The Buckeyes dropped only two sets in the three-match tournament.

The weekend started off on a positive note, however. The Terps (6-6) had 49 kills against Akron (3-10), a season high for a minimum three-set match, as their captains led the way. Primary setter Remy McBain, always an important factor in the Terps' 5-1 scheme, contributed 35 assists, as well as adding seven kills. Defensive specialist Sarah Harper had 25 digs.

Outside hitter Mary Cushman had a team-high 13 kills against Akron. The sophomore also had seven kills in the Terps' second match versus Albany and then tallied 15 kills against the Buckeyes.

"I think it's really important for me to step up," said Cushman, who was named to the all-tournament team. "We have a lot of freshmen on the team, and they need to be able to rely on the older players on the court. For me, especially being a captain, it is important to make big plays at big moments."

However, those big moments were hard to come by for the Terps in the last two matches of the tournament. Against Albany (5-7), the Terps rallied in the first set after winning 14-10. Late in the set, the Terps had five set points but couldn't seal it, as the Great Danes stole the set, 33-31. In the second set, Albany clawed to a 25-23 win, scoring the last three points. The third set was hardly a contest, as the Great Danes smashed the Terps for a 25-8 set win and a sweep of the match as a whole.

The match against Ohio State was a tale of runs. The Buckeyes (10-3) used them to their advantage to secure the first two sets, going on a 6-0 run to win the first set, 25-18, and then putting together a 7-0 run to take the second set, 25-16. With their backs against the wall, the Terps survived two set points from their opponents, and senior outside hitter Maddi Lee clinched the set, 27-25, to put the Terps on the board. The small victory was short-lived, though, as the Buckeyes raced to an early lead in the fourth and final set before sealing the match and the tournament championship with a 25-18 win over the Terps.

The Terps won't have much time to reflect on their losses. They begin conference play tomorrow at Boston College, where they will look to improve on their 1-5 record away from College Park, and then host both North Carolina and N.C. State this weekend. After a forgettable weekend, the team is eager to start a new slate and to look past any missed opportunities.

"This weekend didn't go the way we wanted it to, but we know what we need to work on," Cushman said. "Starting Tuesday night, we have a new chapter in our season. We're fired up, and ready to turn things around."

munson@umdbk.com