Maryland volleyball ends Cavalier Classic with dominant performance over Virginia, 3-0

Looking to sweep the Cavaliers and go a perfect 3-0 in the Cavalier Classic, Maryland found itself up 20-18 against Virginia, forcing a Cavalier timeout. 

Following the timeout, an attack error from Virginia gave the Terps an extra point, and a service ace by senior Lexy Finnerty extended the Terps’ lead to four, 22-18. Maryland searched for three more points to sweep the Cavaliers.

Virginia got within two, 22-20, but a kill from junior Sam Csire put the Terps back up by three, and another Csire kill just two points later gave Maryland match point. Shortly after, a kill from junior Sydney Dowler put the Terps up 25-21, clinching the match win.

Maryland volleyball battled against Virginia in its final match of the Cavalier Classic.

The Terps gained momentum early in the match as they won the first point and led after five, 4-1.

Going on a 3-0 run of their own thanks to two kills and a block, the Cavaliers tied the set at four apiece.

In what was shaping out to be a neck-and-neck set, a service ace from sophomore Erin Engel and a block assist from redshirt junior Anatasia Russ gave the Terps a three point lead, 10-7.

Hoping to get set one tied, two back-to-back kills from the Cavaliers made it a one point match at 11-10. However, two errors by the Cavaliers helped extend Maryland’s lead back to three, 14-11.

Maryland found itself going on another short run, this time 3-0, to go up four points against the Cavaliers. The run gave the Terps a 19-14 lead.

Nearing the end of the set, Maryland’s lead extended to five, 21-16, forcing Virginia to call timeout.

Looking to claim the first set, two kills and an attack error put the Terps up 24-16. Trying to keep the match alive, the Cavaliers went on a 3-0 scoring run to put them within five, but a Cavalier service error gave the Terps the point they needed to win the set, 25-19.

Maryland recorded 11 kills in the first set compared to Virginia’s eight, and three fewer Maryland errors allowed for the Terps to control the first set all throughout.

Unlike in the first set, Virginia found itself with early momentum in the second. The Cavaliers held an early 3-1 lead.

The Terps responded nicely to tie the set at three apiece, but a 4-0 Virginia run put the Cavaliers ahead 9-4, forcing a Maryland timeout.

A few points later, Maryland cut its deficit to 10-7, but two kills from the Cavaliers brought their lead up to five, 12-7.

Hoping to find momentum and close in on the Cavaliers, kills from Russ and freshman Laila Ivey cut the Terps’ deficit down to two, 13-11. However, two kills from Virginia brought its lead back up to three, 14-11.

Finding a surge in momentum, the Terps created a tight set at 14-13. A few points later, Maryland pulled ahead 18-17, but Virginia tied the set at 18-all.

Later in the set, a service ace and multiple kills from Maryland put the Terps up 24-20. Looking to take the set, a kill from junior Laila Ricks gave Maryland the comeback win in set two, 25-20.

Like in set one, Maryland registered more kills and fewer errors than Virginia.

Mirroring the second set, the Terps put the first point on the board, but Virginia gained early momentum early and held a slim 4-2 lead.

Trying to keep the set within close reach, the Terps tied the set 8-8, and a kill from Ivey gave the Terps the lead, 10-9.

Nearing the end of the third set, the Terps and Cavaliers traded points back-and-forth, with the score tied 17-17.

Maryland closed out the set for the sweep, 25-21.

Maryland won all three of its Cavalier Classic contests.