Maryland suffers second-straight road sweep, this time against No. 3 Wisconsin

Having lost the first two sets, Maryland volleyball looked to put on a strong performance late into the third set to avoid suffering its second sweep of the weekend, this time against No. 3 Wisconsin.

The Badgers found themselves ahead 20-16 after a Maryland service error, and Wisconsin continued to extend its lead after a plethora of Maryland errors. A kill from redshirt junior Anastasia Russ made it a four point set, 22-18, desperate to keep the match alive.

Unable to find any more answers to back up Russ’ kill, the Terps allowed a 3-0 run from the Badgers, allowing Wisconsin to win the set, 25-18, and clinch the match, 3-0.

The Badgers took an early lead to start the first set, going on a 3-0 run, but a clutch kill from junior Sam Csire made it a one point set early on, 3-2. A 4-0 run from the Badgers extended their lead up to five, 7-2, which forced a Maryland timeout.

Following the timeout, the Terps went on a 3-0 run, led by a kill from graduate student Gem Grimshaw, to close in on Wisconsin’s lead. Entering the middle of the first set, Wisconsin opened back up its lead to four after multiple attack errors from the Terps. 

Picking up momentum, the Terps began to produce a lively set after a 3-0 run cut Wisconsin’s lead down to just one, 13-12. Keeping the set close, a block assist by Russ and junior Laila Ricks kept Maryland within one.

A kill from graduate student Rainelle Jones ties the score, 17-17, and sends Wisconsin to the sideline in a timeout. After the timeout, the Terps and Badgers remained tied, before another saving kill from Jones gave Maryland a 20-19 lead. Wisconsin responded quickly, as the Badgers used a 3-0 run to regain their lead, 22-20.

Wisconsin closed out the set strong, winning 25-22 to go up 1-0 in the match.

Both offenses recorded similar stat lines in the first set. Maryland recorded a .282 hitting percentage, compared to Wisconsin’s .268. 

Maryland opened the second set strong, up 4-2. A 4-0 run from the Badgers quickly followed to take the lead out from under the Terps, 8-5. Wisconsin continued to go on another run to extend its lead to 13-7, which forced a Maryland timeout. 

Looking to close in on Wisconsin’s lead, back-to-back kills from Russ and Csire made it a five point set, 17-12. Nearing the end of the set, the Badgers extended their lead to seven after a block assist by junior Jade Demps and fifth year Danielle Hart. Wisconsin continued to keep its lead after completing a 5-0 run to win the second set, 25-15. 

Wisconsin outscored Maryland in kills in the second set, 19-13. 

The Badgers took the lead early into the third set, before a kill by Csire closed in on Wisconsin’s lead. Picking up momentum, a 4-0 run by the Terps tied up the score before Maryland took a 10-9 lead. Going on a 4-0 run of their own, Wisconsin went back in front, which forced a Maryland timeout.

Coming out of the timeout, the Badgers extended their lead to 18-12. A kill by Grimshaw, followed by a Wisconsin attack error, brought Maryland closer, but Wisconsin kept its foot on the gas.

Wisconsin finished the set on a 3-0 run to secure the sweep of the Terps.

Wisconsin outscored Maryland in kills and aces. Maryland was held to a .218 hitting percentage, over 100 points fewer than the Badgers.

Maryland will look to bounce back at home next time out against No. 6 Ohio State.