This isn't how it was supposed to end for the trio of heralded fourth-year women's volleyball players who took the Cavaliers out of the depths of the ACC and into prominence.
But Maryland shocked Virginia with a 3-2 victory (15-7, 12-15, 13-15, 15-13, 18-16) in the Cavs final home match of the 1999 season Friday night.
"Maryland was in seventh place and we got our butts kicked," Virginia Coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton said. "We didn't play well at all. I hope this wakes everyone up to realize even though we're good, we're not good enough to take anyone for granted."
Fourth-year middle blocker Jessica Parsons, setter Mary Francis Scott and outside hitter Whitney Bilger were honored in a pre-game ceremony with their parents where accolades were handed out and tears were shed.
After this, it was little surprise that the Cavaliers (15-9, 8-6 ACC) got off to a slow start, losing the first set 15-7.
"We didn't come out real emotional in the beginning of the match," Parsons said. "Maryland played excellently. It's the best I've seen them play."
Virginia came back in the second game with a 15-12 win that showed signs of the same team that swept the Terps Sept. 28 in College Park.
In the third game Maryland (12-16, 5-9) jumped out to a 13-6 lead but the gritty Cavs battled back, winning eight consecutive points off third-year Andrea Fischer's serve, and eventually closed out the game 15-13.
In the fourth game it appeared as if the experienced Cavaliers were ready to close out the Terps, jumping to an 11-7 advantage. But this time it was Maryland who rallied to win 15-13 and force a decisive fifth set.
The final set was a seesaw affair, with each team trading off points. Virginia staved off two match points, the second coming on a minute-long rally with Maryland holding a 15-14 advantage. Finally Scott spotted a hole in the Terrapin defense and dumped the ball over the net for a kill that brought the U-Hall crowd to its feet.
Bilger tallied a service ace for a 16-15 lead and victory appeared to be within reach. However, the Cavs succumbed following a lift call by the referee and the Terps stormed the court, congratulating each other following the two hour and 35 minute marathon.
"What a battle," Bilger said. "Maryland played excellent. It's sad because it's our senior night to lose, but there's still a lot of season left."
Even though the Cavalier home campaign has come to an end, a crucial portion of the season lies ahead.
"Our hugest goal is to win the ACC Tournament," Parsons said. "We have two ACC matches left that we have to prepare for and come out strong."
The night's real story, though, was the three fourth years that have revitalized Cavalier volleyball. This class will leave as the group with the most wins in school history.
"They have had a tremendous impact on our program," Shelton said. "They took a chance and came here when we were really bad and have made a big difference in this program."
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