COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Northwestern fell 3-2 in a five set thriller on the road against Maryland.
Sophomore Temi Thomas-Ailara led the offensive effort for Northwestern early, putting up 20 kills and two aces. Fellow sophomore Hanna Lesiak brough the heat in the later sets, following Thomas-Ailara with 10 kills of her own. Overall, the Northwestern attack outpaced the Terrapins.
The Wildcats easily took the first set off Maryland, 25-16. Northwestern put up 15 kills in that first set and two aces, hitting at a 0.312 clip. The 'Cats were firing on offense while putting up a staunch defensive effort, holding Maryland to just a 0.033 clip with seven kills.
Set two was highly contested by both teams. The 'Cats put up an impressive four aces, but Maryland's defense took a toll on the Northwestern offensive engine. In a close match, the Terrapins took a set 25-22. The third set was a repeat of the second, but the Wildcats were able to turn the tables and control the set, 25-22.
Northwestern jumped out to an early lead in the fourth before the Terrapins managed to catch up and send the match to a fifth set. Maryland dominated the short final set from the start, putting the 'Cats in a bad position. Northwestern tried to mount a late comeback, but it wasn't enough and they fell to the Terrapins.
The Wildcats will be back in action tomorrow to face Maryland at 5 p.m. for their final match of the 2021 season.