Boston College
Maryland
Volleyball Drops ACC Opener To Maryland, 3-1
September 22, 2009 | Volleyball
Sept. 22, 2009
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The Boston College volleyball team lost its first conference match of the season to Maryland on Tuesday, falling 3-1 to the Terrapins in the Power Gym in Chestnut Hill.
The loss set BC's record at 10-2 on the season while Maryland improved to 9-5.
The Eagles attempted to keep the momentum that they had carried all through the early part of the season into their first conference matchup, but the Terrapins were ready with a strong attack of their own. Although BC put forth 10 kills, a .233 hitting percentage and only three errors in the first set, Maryland still managed to find a way through the Eagles' defense and took the first frame 25-17.
Boston College brushed off its tough start and came back strong in the second set, leveling even with the Terrapins at eight points apiece. Both teams showed resilience as the points went back and forth with neither team giving in. The score was still knotted late in the set with both teams having 24 points each before a Krystle Higgins block for the Eagles made it 25-24 and moved them to within one point of clinching the second set. Maryland refused to be pushed aside, however, and Taylor Williams' five kills in the frame were not enough to boost the Eagles, who dropped the set 28-26.
Knowing that they had to act quickly, the Eagles powered through the opening of the third set and jumped out to an 18-10 lead before Maryland used their final timeout of the frame. The stoppage in play did nothing but give the Eagles a chance to regroup themselves and the team finished off the frame with an impressive .524 hitting percentage and a decisive 25-12 win.
The fourth set showed how evenly matched the two teams were as the Eagles and Terrapins were locked at 10-10 before the first timeout was called. BC moved ahead 17-16 in the set before Maryland found some life of its own and took a 23-20 lead in the frame. The Eagles made a valiant effort to fight back but could not overcome the Maryland attack and the Terrapins won the set 25-21, sealing the match.
The Eagles were led on offense by Williams' 12 kills while sophomores Mollie Kolosky and Jordan Meredith added 11 each.
Junior Kristen Baader led the defensive stand with 15 digs and sophomore Brennan Clark posted 14 to follow Baader. Freshman Krystle Higgins also kept the defense strong by adding five blocks to the stat sheet as well.
The Eagles will return to action this Thursday, September 24 when they will take on Wake Forest at 7:00 p.m. in Chestnut Hill.
