The Comcast Center Pavilion held a record 1,716 people Saturday night as the Terrapin volleyball team took on the No. 3 UCLA Bruins in the final game of the Hilton Garden Inn Greenbelt Invitational.

Both teams won their first two games of the invitational, handing Florida International and Long Island third and fourth place, respectively. The Bruins and Terps were surrounded by cheering fans from both sides from the opening serve of the championship match.

“We collectively thought Maryland was a challenge,” said Bruins’ star senior Nana Meriwether. “We had to change some elements of our offense and defense.”

The changes coach Andy Banachowski and his Bruins made worked. The Terps were unable to capitalize on opportunities against a stingy UCLA defense, and the lack of kills was a key contributor to the Terps’ 3-0 loss (22-30, 23-30, 23-30).

“They’re a very disciplined team,” junior Mary Beth Brown said. “Not many teams have so many versatile players.”

The Terps played UCLA close in all three games, until the end, where the Bruins’ athleticism proved too much in each game. Meriwether, a native of Potomac, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. She had 10 kills in the third game alone, coming into her own after the Terps pulled within 21-19.

“She’s an amazing athlete,” Terp coach Janice Kruger said. “[She is] one of the top volleyball players in the country.”

Meriwether finished with 14 kills, while teammate Ali Daley finished with 19 kills to lead the Bruins. For the Terps, junior Jade Brown recorded her seventh double-double of the season (10 kills, 10 digs). Sophomore Maggie Schmelzle added nine kills and eight digs for the Terps.

Schmelzle and sophomore Meredith Doyle were named to the All-Tournament Team, as both were key to the Terps’ 3-2 and 3-1 wins over Florida International and Long Island, respectively. Schmelzle recorded 14 kills in leading the Terps over Florida International, while Doyle’s three solo blocks against Long Island helped the team set a program record with 22 blocks in the match.

In the Florida International match, the Terps felt a wave of fear in the fifth game as Jade Brown went down with a knee injury. The Terps took an 8-2 lead in the deciding game, but felt a momentary collapse as the lead dwindled to 9-8 without their star hitter. The injury turned out to be a strained MCL, and the Terps rallied to win the game in a 16-14 nail biter.

“It showed a lot to fight back,” said Mary Beth Brown. “[Jade Brown’s injury] definitely threw off momentum.”

As a whole, the Terps came out of the weekend achieving what was expected of them, showing resilience and mental toughness in the process. Issues with the team’s attack and inexperience are still factors, however, as the team gears up for ACC play next week.

“We need to keep getting game experience,” said Kruger. “Hopefully, they’ve learned something.”

Contact reporter Adi Joseph at sports@dbk.umd.edu.