COLLEGE PARK, MD. – With a career-high 15 kills, Emma Ellis led No. 8 Purdue volleyball to victory at Maryland, 3-1 (25-15, 25-23, 22-25, 27-25).
The Boilermakers sealed the victory after a thrilling fourth set, in which Purdue battled back from a 19-23 deficit, including a Terrapin match point at 24-25.
Despite playing the nation's top blocking team, the Boilermakers out-blocked the Terrapins 15-12. Additionally, the win saw Purdue's best match from the service line, where it notched nine aces, the most in a Big Ten match this season and tying for its season-high.
The Boilermakers' performance was one for the record books with libero Jena Otec's 30 digs marking not only a season-high for the graduate student, but tying as the fourth-most in a four-setter in program history, tying Carly Cramer in 2010. Moreover, it was the 21st time in program history a Boilermaker has reached the 30 Dig Club, including Otec's second, when she set her career-high 31 digs vs. Minnesota in the spring.
Setter Hayley Bush secured her 11th double-double of the season with her 47 assists and 11 digs. Bush rounded out her performance with three kills and an ace. Meanwhile, Caitlyn Newton complimented her performance with a double-double of her own, totaling 14 kills and 11 digs to pair with four total blocks and three aces.
It was the first time Ellis led the team in kills, and the third consecutive match the junior posted eight or more kills.
Meanwhile, Jael Johnson led the team with eight total blocks, including two solo stuffs to tie her career-high. The senior also led the team on the serve, registering four aces on the night, a season-high.
Purdue will be back on Sunday at Rutgers. The match is slated for a 1 p.m. ET start on B1G+.
The Boilermakers sealed the victory after a thrilling fourth set, in which Purdue battled back from a 19-23 deficit, including a Terrapin match point at 24-25.
Despite playing the nation's top blocking team, the Boilermakers out-blocked the Terrapins 15-12. Additionally, the win saw Purdue's best match from the service line, where it notched nine aces, the most in a Big Ten match this season and tying for its season-high.
The Boilermakers' performance was one for the record books with libero Jena Otec's 30 digs marking not only a season-high for the graduate student, but tying as the fourth-most in a four-setter in program history, tying Carly Cramer in 2010. Moreover, it was the 21st time in program history a Boilermaker has reached the 30 Dig Club, including Otec's second, when she set her career-high 31 digs vs. Minnesota in the spring.
Setter Hayley Bush secured her 11th double-double of the season with her 47 assists and 11 digs. Bush rounded out her performance with three kills and an ace. Meanwhile, Caitlyn Newton complimented her performance with a double-double of her own, totaling 14 kills and 11 digs to pair with four total blocks and three aces.
It was the first time Ellis led the team in kills, and the third consecutive match the junior posted eight or more kills.
Meanwhile, Jael Johnson led the team with eight total blocks, including two solo stuffs to tie her career-high. The senior also led the team on the serve, registering four aces on the night, a season-high.
Purdue will be back on Sunday at Rutgers. The match is slated for a 1 p.m. ET start on B1G+.