The volleyball team's tough season suffered an even tougher ending last night in the ACC Tournament.
Duke, the eighth seed in the tourney, fell to seventh-seeded Maryland, 3-1 in first-round action in the Terrapins' Ritchie Coliseum. This was the second time in six days that Maryland has defeated Duke, both by counts of 3-1.
Maryland (13-15, 5-11 in the ACC) will go on to face the second seed, Virginia, while Duke (9-20, 4-12) makes the long trip back to Durham.
The Blue Devils opened the match sluggishly, losing the first two games 15-2, 15-7. After the break, they returned with an inspired 15-11 win to get back into the match. The Terrapins, however, quickly closed the door on Duke in the fourth and final game, winning 15-7.
While mental errors late in games have plagued the Blue Devils all season, they did not have the chance to make them in this contest, as Maryland held Duke to single figures in points in the three games it won.
This is the second year in a row the Blue Devils have been eliminated in the first round of the tournament, as Clemson knocked out Duke last year, 3-0.
Despite the loss, Duke received a solid performance from freshman Ashley Harris, who recorded 11 kills and 21 digs. Sophomore Nina Rybak led Duke with 27 assists.
The Blue Devils could not find an answer for Maryland's Beth Murphy, who led her team with 17 kills, to go along with 15 digs and three service aces. The Terrapins also received contributions from setter Libby Alberts, who dished out 53 assists.
The loss left the Blue Devils with only nine wins on the season. This is the first time the team has not reached double figures in wins since it went 6-21 in 1981. Duke also suffered a 20-loss season for the first time since 1983.
Note: The Blue Devils return five starters next season and will only lose one player overall, senior Megan Irvine.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.