The Ohio State women’s volleyball team celebrates after defeating No. 4 Penn State in four sets on Sept. 23. Credit: Miranda Lipton | Lantern Reporter
After recovering from a 2-0 deficit, the Ohio State women’s volleyball team (10-6, 1-3 Big Ten) fell to Maryland (11-5, 2-2 Big Ten) in five sets (25-22, 25-22, 15-25, 22-25, 17-15) on Saturday night.
Freshman opposite hitter Vanja Bukilić topped both teams with a career-high 19 kills and 19.5 points. Junior middle blocker Madison Smeathers contributed 13 kills and redshirt sophomore middle blocker Jordan Fry struck nine.
Sophomore middle blocker Lauren Witte had eight kills, seven blocks and two aces and Junior outside hitter Ana Beatriz Franklin nailed three aces.
Sophomore setter Becca Mauer clocked 48 assists, 13 digs and five blocks for her third straight double-double. Sophomore defensive specialize Hannah Gruensfelder had a team-best 20 digs.
The Buckeyes had an initial lead in the first set and were up 12-11. The score remained tight throughout the set but Maryland closed the set at 25-22.
Ohio State also started the second set off strong, managing a lead throughout the set until the Terrapins tied the score at 17-all and continued to win the set 25-22.
Ohio State came back strong in the following two sets, leading with a wide gap throughout the set before a 25-15 win.
They continued this trend into the fourth set with a steady lead and while the Terps nearly caught up at the end, the Buckeyes clinched the set with a 25-22 final score.
Ohio State still got ahead in the fifth set and were up 13-12 before the Terps tied the score, eventually winning the set and the match at 17-15.
The Buckeyes get back on the road to visit Rutgers on Friday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m.
