Tiger Volleyball Loses Close Match To Maryland On Friday Night, 3-1

Nov. 18, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, MD – The Clemson volleyball team fought hard against the Maryland Terrapins on Friday night but fell in four games (33-31, 30-15, 28-30, 34-32) to the now 25-3 Terps. Sophomore outside hitter Brittany Ross tallied 32 kills for the second time in as many matches for the Tigers, tying her own and the school record for kills in a match. However, her performance was not enough to give Clemson the upset and the Tigers fell to 11-16 overall and 6-13 in conference play.

Jeannette Abbott added 19 kills for Clemson, inching closer to the school freshman kill record. The rookie from Downers Grove, IL has recorded 465 kills during the season, trailing current record-holder Ross by just seven kills.

Maryland had six players post double-figure kill totals in the match, led by Jade Brown with 18. Brown also tallied five block assists against the Tigers to aid the Terrapin effort.

The first game of the night proved to be an indicator of the rest of the match as it was a hard-fought, tight game that saw 16 tie scores and seven lead changes. The Tigers held advantages late in the game, leading 27-25 near the end. Clemson had two game points before Maryland tied the score at 29 apiece. The teams were then notched at 30-30 and again at 31-31. However, the Terrapins scored the final two points to post the game one victory, 33-31.

Maryland came out strong in the second game and won by a score of 30-15 to take a 2-0 lead in the match. The Tigers responded with a win in game three, outscoring the Terps, 30-28. Clemson jumped out to an early lead and held on until Maryland tied the score at 28-28. This time, though, the Tigers claimed the last two points to require a fourth game.

Clemson did not fall easily in the fourth game, forcing the Terrapins to post 34 points for the game and match victory. Maryland led for much of the game and held a six-point advantage at 22-16. The Tigers fought off three Terp game points to stay alive and finally tied the score at 29 apiece. Clemson then led 30-29 before Maryland tied and took a one-point advantage. The score was then notched at 31-31 and moments later at 32 all. The Terrapins scored the final two points of the match for a 34-32 game four win and a 3-1 match victory.

The Tigers will play the Boston College Eagles on Saturday night in Chestnut Hill, MA. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM.