Razorbacks Taken Down by Terps in Four Sets

While it was a tight battle for much of the way, Arkansas ultimately ran out of gas in its second match of the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge and fell to Maryland 3-1 (26-24, 28-30, 22-25, 18-25).

The match was a marathon for both teams, with 35 total ties and 13 lead changes across four sets. Maryland had the edge in kills (63), hitting percentage (.285) and digs (80) on the night. Arkansas was close behind and hit .259 and posted 13 blocks to Maryland’s nine.

Sophomore Parker Duncan posted a double-double with a team high 18 kills and 11 digs. She was one of three Razorbacks to tally double-digit kills on the night, fifth year Laci Bohannan and senior Romani Thurman both ended with 13 apiece.

Junior setter Kiki Remensperger also had a double-double with a season high 44 assists and 11 digs. Senior defensive specialist Gaby Cornier had a team best 13 digs, and freshman libero Madi Benne was effective on both sides of the ball with 11 digs and three aces.

Senior middle blocker Layla Smith played a big role with seven kills and no errors for a .412 hitting percentage and posted three blocks, two of them solo. Fellow middle Aleki Alexander was a big presence at the net with eight total blocks.

The Hogs are now 3-2 on the season with six matches remaining in their non-conference slate.

Set 1

Maryland started the set with the lead and stifled any of Arkansas’ attempts at a run for most of the way. While the Hogs came within one or two at certain points, the Terps largely dictated the pace in the opening frame. With their backs against the wall, the Razorbacks locked in in the red zone and used back-to-back kills from Thurman to make it 22-21 in favor of Maryland. The Terps called time to regroup, but Arkansas answered with two more points, including an ace from Benne, and Maryland huddled again. The Terps were able to tie it at 24-24, but a solo block from Smith and a Maryland attack error secured the comeback bid for the Razorbacks, 26-24.

Set 2

Arkansas carried its momentum into the second set and held a narrow lead through the midway point. The Terps weren’t far behind and never down by more than a couple of points, though, and each team didn’t let the other get comfortable. Maryland used a two-point spurt to tie it at 15-15, and after that there were nine ties to 24, ensuring that the set would again need extra points to win. It looked like it would go the Razorbacks’ way when kills from Bohannan and Duncan put them up 28-27, and Maryland called time. The Terps fired back with two points, and ultimately a Maryland block sealed the deal 30-28 for the Terps, tying up the match 1-1.

Set 3

While Maryland had the early advantage in the third set, Arkansas used a 3-0 capped by an ace from Benne to tie it at 7-all, and a kill from Alexander not long after put the Hogs up by two at 12-10. The lead didn’t last long, as five unanswered points from the Terps put Maryland ahead 17-14. Arkansas continued to fight and used a 4-0 run finished by an ace from Cornier to pull ahead by one at 19-18. The Razorbacks kept up the tempo, but the Terps came back with a vengeance. Maryland finished off the set with five straight and took the set 25-22 for a 2-1 lead.

Set 4

The back-and-forth pace of the match really started to wear on the Razorbacks by the fourth set, as the Terps limited their chances early and took a commanding 15-9 lead at the media timeout. After that, it was all Maryland as the Terps strung together a 3-0 lead that sent the Hogs to a timeout to stop the bleeding. Arkansas chipped away but couldn’t catch up quick enough. The Razorbacks did spoil the Terps’ match point four times with a nice service run from Livia Niu, but an error at the line made it 25-18 Maryland and the Terps won 3-1.

Up Next

Arkansas gets a week of rest before the Hogs head to Syracuse, NY for the Showdown at the Net ACC/SEC Challenge. The Razorbacks will take on the Orange on Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. with the match streamed live on ACCNX.

More Information

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