The Terps begin Big Ten play with a tough loss against a tough opponents.
Despite pushing Iowa past the usual 25 points in the third set, challenging calls twice and battling through back-and-forth rallies all night, Maryland volleyball still couldn’t forge any significant momentum.
Maryland volleyball faced a challenging start to their Big Ten conference play, falling in straight sets to the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Failing to secure a single set Thursday evening, the Terps dropped their Big Ten opener to the Hawkeyes, 3-0.
The Hawkeyes were able to take an early advantage in the first set, moving to 10–4 after a straight six point streak. Maryland tried to gain momentum, but they were unable to take the lead at all in the first set.
The Hawkeyes dominated both offensively and defensively, with standout performances from junior middle hitter Hannah Winningstall and graduate student outside hitter Chard’e Vanzandt. Whittingstall contributed with several kills and service aces, helping Iowa control the first set from start to finish.Vanzandt also paced the Hawkeyes’ attack, finishing with team-high 14 kills for the match.
Iowa’s depth was evident throughout, with multiple players contributing kills and service aces. Sophomore middle hitter Aleksandra Stojanovic recorded three service aces and multiple kills, giving Iowa consistent scoring threats from all positions.
The Hawkeyes took advantage of 15 Maryland attack errors and nine service errors to build their leads.
Redshirt sophomore outside hitter Olivia Ruy led the Terps with 12 kills and a .400 hitting percentage, showing resilience despite struggling to find offensive rhythm against Iowa’s blocking.
Senior rightside hitter Ajack Malual also added key kills, but Maryland’s errors kept them from closing the gap.
Maryland tried to force a comeback in the second and third sets, but the Terps ultimately fell short.
In the third set, Maryland briefly threatened, tying the score at 12-12 after a challenge by head coach Adam Hughes, but Iowa responded with timely kills and service pressure to maintain control. Vanzandt recorded her 999th career kill during the set.
Maryland’s defensive efforts, including six digs from junior outside hitter Haley Melby and 27 assists from redshirt freshman setter Lily Wagner, kept rallies competitive, but Iowa’s combination of veteran presence, depth, and efficient offense proved too much.
The Hawkeyes improved to 10-1 overall and secured their ninth nonconference win since 2014, while Maryland dropped to 7-4.
Iowa will look to carry this momentum into its next Big Ten match, while Maryland will aim to adjust and rebound in upcoming conference play. The Terps have begun a demanding stretch, which continues against top-ranked Nebraska in their next matchup Saturday.
Three things to know
1. Ajack Malual’s performance. Maryland’s leader in kills had her lowest-kill contest of the season with 8 — tied with her performance against Old Dominion. Despite the drop in numbers, Malual still serves as a powerful piece of Maryland’s offense.
2. Next up: No. 1. Maryland will face No. 1 Nebraska on the road Saturday. The Terps will have to bounce back quickly, tighten their defense and generate more consistent offense if they want to stand a chance against one of the nation’s perennially strongest programs.
3. Tough Big Ten start. Iowa was able to secure the win over the Terps in three straight sets. Maryland struggled to find consistency on the court and the Hawkeyes were able to capitalize on Maryland’s mistakes. This loss puts extra pressure on the team as they try to gain momentum in conference play.
Category: General Sports
