Volleyball makes history with single-season losing streak

In a season marred by defeats and setbacks, Terrapins volleyball coach Tim Horsmon explained the obvious yesterday:

"A loss is a loss," he said.

But given the circumstances, this weekend's losses weren't just regular losses. With one to Virginia Tech on Friday, the Terps broke the program's single-season losing record of 11 matches. With another to cellar dweller Virginia on Saturday, they extended it to 13.

"Obviously it's not where we want to be," Horsmon said. "It's not something we focus on, and we're just trying to get better every week. We're just not taking charge of moments right now."

Their hopes of avoiding such a fate faded in as quickly as three sets, with the Hokies sweeping the Terps, 25-12, 25-17, 25-20. Trailing 7-2 early in the first set, the Terps (9-20, 3-14 ACC) had their backs against the wall for the rest of the set, which they eventually lost, 25-12.

The Terps came out stronger in the second set, holding strong with a 9-9 deadlock until the Hokies (15-13, 8-9) scored four straight points. Kills from middle blocker Adreene Elliott and outside hitter Maddi Lee, who finished with a team-high 10 kills in the match, closed the gap to 13-11. But the Hokies took control of the set afterward, winning 25-17 and setting up a chance at a sweep.

The third set started off even worse than the first, with the Terps giving up the first eight points. Although they managed to fight back to 17-15, they couldn't get any closer, falling to the Hokies and breaking a record they had no intention of breaking.

Virginia (10-17, 4-13), which the Terps faced Saturday, seemed to pose less of a threat to the Terps than did the Hokies. The Cavaliers (10-17, 4-13) have been drudging through a forgettable season, but the Terps found that even wins against subpar teams are hard to come by in a 14-25, 25-23, 25-21, 30-28 loss.

The Terps looked like they were finally going to end the streak, scoring 21 of the first 26 points in the first set. The Cavaliers looked to stifle the Terps' momentum, but kills from McBain and Cushman, who both had double-doubles, sealed the 25-14 set win.

Down 17-11 in the second set, the Terps rallied and tied the set at 21 before taking the lead thanks to a Virginia error. Two points away from winning the first two sets, the Cavaliers roared back and scored four straight points to tie the match. The third set, which featured 12 ties and lead changes, also went against the Terps.

The fourth set, though, was supposed to have extended the match. After quality play and staking themselves a 24-18 advantage, the Terps collapsed and gave up seven straight points at the most inopportune time. The Terps would go on to lose the set, 30-28, as well as their 13th straight match.

"We've competed, but we're not finishing," Horsmon said. "There isn't a team in the conference right now that we don't think we can beat."

That ability surely has been questioned. The Terps, who have enjoyed very little breathing room with an injury- depleted roster, haven't won an ACC match since their victory over the Cavaliers at home Sept. 30.

"Out of 11 scholarship players we have this year, only seven have been healthy," Horsmon said. "We haven't had the ability to make changes this year with our lineup."

Just some examples of the walking wounded who populate the roster include Sharon Strizak, a senior who hasn't been healthy enough to play most of the year. Libero Caroline Niski is fighting and playing through a torn labrum in her hip. Outside hitter Ashleigh Crutcher, who was slotted for an all-ACC freshman selection, suffered a concussion earlier in the season and now has a sprained joint in her right shoulder.

But Horsmon sees the light at the end of the tunnel. After the season ends, the Terps will lose just two seniors, only one of whom has seen major playing time this year. Players will regain health and welcome, in the newest infusion of youth into the roster, what Horsmon describes as possibly a top-25 recruiting class for next season.