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AU Falls to Maryland in NCAA First Round
Kucerkova closes out AU career with 18 kills

Karla Kucerkova had 18 kills, eight digs and a .607 hitting percentage against Maryland.

Dec. 5, 2003 | Stats

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The AU volleyball team ended its season with a 3-0 (30-24, 30-25, 30-28) loss to Maryland in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Senior Karla Kucerkova (Olomouc, Czech Republic/Brno) closed out her collegiate career with a match high 18 kills, eight digs and a .607 hitting percentage.

“I am proud of our team. It was a great match,” American University Head Coach Barry Goldberg said. “We were a little short, but certainly competitive. It was a fun year for all of us and we will miss Karla.”

As the match began, the Eagles and the Terrapins started the match by going point for point and tying the game six times before Maryland pulled away by four. After gaining the lead, the Eagles were unable to catch up and the Terps took the first game 30-24.

Game two proved to be much of the same between the two teams as they battled for the lead for the first 17 points. After Maryland went on a four point run ending at 12-8, the Eagles were unable to recoup, despite Kucerkova’s 10 kills for the game.

In game three the Eagles were able to jump out to an early lead, only to have the Terps come fighting back. As the game progressed, AU briefly took the lead again, but the Terps were able to pass the Eagles and close the match 30-28.

The Eagles fought hard against the Terps, out-hitting the No. 25 team .297 to .286. The Terps dropped 11 service aces to the Eagles three, in addition to the 51 kills over American’s 46.

American closes out the season with a 22-9 overall record, a 14-0 Patriot League record and a third conference championship.

Game Summary:

Kills: AU: 46; Maryland 51
Attack %: AU: .297; Maryland: .286
Blocks: AU: 6; Maryland: 6
Assists: AU 42; Maryland: 46