Abbott, Robinson Post Monster Numbers Against Maryland

10/13/2017 10:14:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

CHICAGO, Ill. — Just one week after Northwestern came away with a victory in a five set thriller over Indiana, the Wildcats were a part of another instant classic at McGrath-Phillips Arena, with Northwestern players recording multiple career highs. In a match that included a marathon first set, along with multiple late set comebacks for the 'Cats, Northwestern would ultimately fall in five sets to Maryland.

Senior Symone Abbott continued her climb up the record books as she moved into sole possession of fifth place in Northwestern history in career kills. After starting the match in a tie for sixth place with 1,481 kills, Abbott quickly passed Dawn Reig for sole possession of sixth place, then moved into fifth place, ahead of Madelyn Meneghetti. Abbott now has 1,510 career kills, and is now just six kills behind Lindsay Anderson who sits at 1,516.

Senior Taylor Tashima recorded her seventh double-double of the season, finishing with a career-high 62 assists as well as 13 digs.

First year Nia Robinson also had a career night as she finished with a career-high 25 kills while hitting for an outstanding .468 clip. Robinson helped fuel the Wildcats' attack along with Abbott, who finished the match with 29, tying her career high.

The loss moves Northwestern to 12-7 (2-5 Big Ten) on the season, while Maryland moves to 14-5 (3-4 in Big Ten) on the year.

After falling behind 19-14, the Wildcats went on a furious run late in the second set to tie the score up 24-24. The 'Cats fended off two consecutive set points before going back-and-forth with Maryland for over 20 points with no team being able to pull away. With the score tied 34-34, Abbott recorded back-to-back kills, giving Northwestern a 36-34 victory in a marathon first set.

Robinson led the way with seven kills in the first set, while Abbott added six kills of her own. As a team, Northwestern finished with 20 kills in the set, hitting for a .286 attack percentage while holding Maryland to a .204 clip.

Maryland jumped out to a quick start in the second set, taking a 18-13 lead. But just as they did in the first set, the #B1GCats clawed their way back to a tie as the result of a 5-0 run which included three kills from Abbott along with an ace from sophomore Sarah Johnson. Both teams went back-and-forth for the remainder of the set, with Maryland eking out a 25-23 victory to tie the match at one set apiece heading into intermission.

As a team, the Wildcats hit for a better hitting percentage in the second set than they did in the first, with a .367 clip; however, they were stifled by a Maryland attack that hit .472 in the second set. Abbott led the 'Cats with seven kills in the set for a .429 clip.

The Wildcats continued to show off their resiliency in the third set. After a back-and-forth start in a set that included seven lead changes and 12 tie scores, the Terps pulled ahead with 24-21 late. However, the #B1GCats came roaring back, scoring five consecutive points to win the set 26-24. Johnson led the way with two service aces during the Wildcats' 5-0 run, including a winner to finish the set off.

After dropping the fourth set 25-22, the match moved to a decisive fifth set. Much like the rest of the match, both teams battled evenly throughout the entire set, which included 11 tie scores and three lead changes. Maryland ultimately finished with 17-15 victory to win the match 3-2.

First year Alana Walker finished the match with nine kills, her season-high in conference play. Johnson added three service aces and 14 digs while first year Britt Bommer also finished with a career-high two aces.

The Wildcats as a team finished with multiple season-highs on the night — including the most points (95) and most kills (74) in one match.

Chicago's Big Ten team will return to McGrath-Phillips Arena tomorrow night at 7 p.m. to take on Ohio State, completing their four-match home-stand.