After two set losses to Northwestern, Maryland volleyball was on the verge of a fourth consecutive straight-set loss. And while the Terps recovered to win a set, Sunday was another disappointing moment in a season marked with losses.
Maryland dropped its fifth straight game in a 3-1 loss to Northwestern. They have now lost 11 Big Ten games and guaranteed a sub .500 record for the 14th straight season.
The Wildcats played sloppy in the first set of the match. At the game’s first timeout, Northwestern was hitting .000 and had committed 10 errors. Maryland’s offense, who’s struggled in conference matches, had a golden opportunity.
Northwestern’s point of weakness is attacking errors specifically. The Wildcats were failing to put their attacks where they wanted, which allowed Maryland’s (8-13, 1-11 Big Ten) offense a much higher range of attacking windows than they’d usually have.
Ajack Malual, Maryland’s star player on offense, quickly took advantage of the Wildcats’ (15-9, 5-7 Big Ten) issues. She contributed two kills and 1.5 total blocks in an 8-0 run that gave the Terps a 16-12 lead.
But the Wildcats found their rhythm following the timeout, as they committed three more errors in the rest of the set. Northwestern chipped into Maryland’s lead.
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Maryland’s serve-receive broke down, allowing Northwestern to score three service aces in the span of five plays. Northwestern entered this game with the 2nd most total aces in the Big Ten, and that sequence put its quick-strike prowess in the spotlight.
Malual pulled her team back to match point with a kill and two block assists. Once again, Maryland held the lead and all the Terps needed was one more point to close the game.
But again, they couldn’t finish the job.
The Wildcats forced a deuce and quickly took a 27-25 win in Set 1, with a fifth service ace in the set serving as the dagger. Despite outhitting Northwestern .152 to .104, Maryland was losing.
The next set was even worse. Hughes used his timeouts in quick succession after falling into a 15-8 hole in the second set.
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What made this offensive performance all the more disappointing was the performance in the middle. Maryland’s in the top five Big Ten teams in blocks per set while Northwestern entered this match at the bottom.
Despite the defense’s help, the offense once again couldn’t find any consistency. Maryland’s attack fizzled out and the Wildcats won the set 25-17.
On the precipice of their fourth consecutive 3-0 loss, the Terps initially fell into a 6-1 hole in the third set. Hughes quickly called timeout to try and rally his players.
They finally got the message. Malual led a comeback effort, recording 12 kills, 3.5 total blocks and five digs by the end of the set. Three of those kills came in a four-play stretch that gave Maryland a 22-20 lead.
Two consecutive kills from Sydney Bryant gave Maryland its first set win since Oct. 19. The two teams traded the lead back and forth throughout the fourth set. With a 15-13 lead, the Terps had a chance to force a fifth set.
Another late set collapse put an end to this dream. Northwestern once again rallied to take a 20-18 set lead. In a fitting end to a match defined by missed opportunities, the Wildcats won 25-21 and secured a win in four sets.
