Maryland volleyball downs UCF in five sets

In its last match of nonconference play, Maryland volleyball looked to carry momentum over to Big Ten play and extend its seven-game winning streak. It did just that, as the Terps defeated UCF in the UCF Tournament finale in five sets.

Maryland found its top option, pin hitter Samantha Schnitta, early in the opening set. Schnitta, who has 120 kills this season, tallied another two, giving the Terps a 3-2 lead.

With the score at 5-3, the Knights scored five consecutive points, including a kill from outside hitter Avah Armour and middle blocker Alexia Kuehl. Schnitta cut the lead to two with a kill before Knights’ setter Abby Schomers sparked a three-point run.

Trailing 19-11, Schnitta recorded two more kills and a service ace, while middle blocker Eva Rohrbach added two kills. Outside hitter Sam Csire hoped to spark a late rally, but a kill from Kuehl gave her team a set point.

A block from setter Sydney Dowler and another kill from Schnitta kept Maryland alive before the Knights’ outside hitter Britt Carlson closed it out. Despite falling in the opening set, 25-20, Schnitta had a set-high seven kills.

The Knights took an early 2-0 lead off a service ace from libero Chloe Scheer. Outside hitter Sydney Bryant and Rohrbach each tallied a kill to level the set at two. Schnitta recorded a kill and service ace to keep the score tied.

After trailing 9-8 off a kill from Carlson, Maryland scored the next four points, including a kill and service ace from Csire. A kill from Schomers and service ace by Scheer cut the lead to one, but the Terps responded right back, scoring three consecutive points. Schnitta capped off the run with a kill, extending the score to 15-11.

Another service ace from Schnitta put Maryland ahead by five, and it never looked back. Armour recorded back-to-back kills, hoping to get some momentum, but Rohrbach ended any potential run with a service ace.

Dowler gave Maryland set point before an attack from Schomers sailed long, giving the Terps a 25-15 set victory. Maryland closed the set with five consecutive points.

In the next set, UCF got out to a much-needed five-point lead after three kills from Carlson. Three more points from the Knights — including a service ace from libero Katelyn Grimes — put the score at 9-1.

Middle blocker Ellie Watson recorded a block followed up by a service ace from Rohrbach, cutting the lead to five. With the score at 13-7, two kills from Kuehl helped give UCF a nine-point lead. Kills from Emily Wilson and Carlson extended the Knights’ lead to 12.

Armour gave UCF set point before the Terps rallied for six consecutive points. Dowler and Watson combined for two blocks and Rohrbach added a service ace during the run. Kuehl closed out the set for the Knights with a kill, as the Terps fell, 25-18.

“We might not win this set, but can we back into it and make it a little closer,” head coach Adam Hughes said. “One of the most important parts of the night was when Eva went back and got a five-point serving run at the end of game three.”

Looking to carry over its late momentum from the third set, Maryland got out to a 2-1 lead off kills from Schnitta and freshman pin hitter Katherine Scherer. Wilson recorded back-to-back kills, giving UCF a two point lead. But the Terps responded right back with four points of their own, with two kills from Rohrbach and another from Scheer.

Despite a timeout from the Knights, Maryland continued the run. Rohrbach added two more kills and two block assists, with defensive specialist Ally Williams contributing a service ace. With the Terps up 11-4, UCF scored four of the next five, including kills from Schomers and Kuehl.

Leading 15-13 after its timeout, Maryland responded back with six of the next seven points. Two kills from Scherer, and one apiece from Csire and Rohrbach proved pivotal during the run. Back-to-back kills from Watson closed out a 25-18 set victory for the Terps.

The Knights got out to an early 3-1 after two service aces from Scherer in the fifth and final set, but a kill from Dowler and service ace from Williams leveled the score at four. Csire and Rohrbach each recorded a kill, helping Maryland get out to a four-point lead. UCF cut the lead down to one after the Terps’ timeout.

Just like she’s done all season, Schnitta came up clutch for Maryland late. She had back-to-back kills, setting up a match point. UCF’s Wilson had an attack error, giving Maryland a 15-12 fifth-set victory.

“Schnitta finally found some people that will be more physical,” Hughes said. “The most important swing was at 13-11, a high ball, and she got two of the last kills for us.”

Three things to know

1. Injury to Anastasia Russ. After the first point of the match, Russ limped off the court with an ankle injury. In her absence, Rohrbach played a pivotal role on both offense and defense. She finished the match with 13 kills, three service aces and four total blocks.

“Eva did a phenomenal job, not just getting pieces, but offensively,” Hughes said. “I thought it was a great performance. We wanted to get her the ball more in our match against Nevada. She easily could’ve gotten frustrated and instead just went back to work.”

2. Second road win. After falling in their first road match to LSU, the Terps have won back-to-back road games. Maryland has defeated American and UCF in five-sets. Their next road match is against No. 3 Penn State.

3. Momentum heading into Big Ten Play. The Terps have now rattled off eight consecutive wins, including a sweep over the field in the UCF Tournament. Maryland will look to bring this momentum to conference play and improve upon last year’s 7-13 Big Ten record.