Maryland volleyball continued its success throughout the weekend, winning two of its three matchups, bringing its record to 4-2.
Maryland volleyball started the weekend exceptionally, as the Terps went 2-0 on Friday, beating Georgetown and Stony Brook. Maryland would lose on its only Saturday matchup against South Florida.
The Terps came into the weekend with a 2-1 record following the Maryland Invite. The Terps’ lone loss came at the hands of Florida Gulf Coast, a team that appeared in the NCAA Tournament a year ago.
Maryland’s first matchup of the day came against the Georgetown Hoyas (0-3). The Hoyas came into the weekend struggling to get anything going, winning just one set in their three games. Maryland has owned the matchup going 43-15 all-time.
The Terps’ first set against Georgetown was stellar. Maryland won in commanding fashion, 25-15. Maryland controlled the tempo and prevented Georgetown from gaining any momentum.
The Terps continued their dominance in the second set via a 5-0 run. They then went on a 6-0 run later in the set, creating all the separation they needed to take it, 25-14.
The third set was more of the same for the Terps.
The Hoyas battled early, responding every time the Terps scored. Maryland eventually pulled away en route to a forceful 25-14 set win.
The Terps swept the Hoyas in three sets to bring their record to 3-1 on the young season. Laila Ricks had her best game thus far, totaling four aces, which marked her career-high. Ricks also tied a career-high with 10 kills.
Maryland looked to capitalize on its momentum later in the day against Stony Brook. Stony Brook came into the game with a 2-0 record.
Seawolves’ freshman Kali Moore had been the shining star for the team, winning C.A.A. Volleyball Rookie of the Week and earning 29 kills to start her collegiate career.
The Terps looked to start the first set versus Stony Brook on the right foot, and they did just that, winning the set, 25-19.
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, Rainelle Jones, played a pivotal role in the set by sparking an 8-1 scoring run with two kills.
The Terps’ defense was the difference as Maryland accumulated eight total blocks.
The second set started like the first, with both teams trading points.
The Terps created separation thanks to a 4-0 run in the middle of the set. The lead didn’t last, as Stony Brook would eventually tie the score, but the Terps kept fighting. That fight led to a victory in the set, 25-20.
Maryland came out firing in the third set, taking a commanding 8-3 lead. The Terps would turn that lead into a win, winning the set, 25-16.
Maryland was dominant in both games on Friday, sweeping both opponents. Laila Ricks led the way, totaling 16 kills and 12 blocks, a performance Coach Adam Hughes enjoyed seeing.
“I thought we saw glimpses of what her high end of her potential is, and she was consistent all weekend, so I’m really proud of that performance,” Hughes said.
Maryland’s last game of the weekend came against the South Florida Bulls. The Bulls came into Saturday’s matchup riding high after beating Georgetown 3-0 on Friday.
The Terps started out slow in the first set, struggling mightily on the attack, going 11-29. They also recorded eight attack errors, which gave the bulls the win in the set, 25-22.
Maryland rebounded in the second set, breaking out to an early lead. South Florida continued to keep it close, responding to almost every Maryland point.
The Terps won the set, 25-12, behind a prolific performance from Sam Csire and Laila Ricks. The two combined for seven kills.
The third set started close, with the Terps holding just a one-point lead midway through the match.
Maryland gained separation in the match thanks to a 6-0 run, which included two Sydney Dowler aces. The Terps went on to win the set, 25-20.
Maryland came out in the fourth set looking flat.
South Florida capitalized on two separate 3-0 runs to jump out to a 10-6 lead.
South Florida would hold that lead thanks to Junior outside hitter Marta Cvitkovic’s seven kills in the set, forcing a winner take all fifth set.
The fifth set was all South Florida early. They started the deciding set on a 7-0 run, burying Maryland from the start.
The Terps couldn’t rebound and lost the set 15-4, losing the match 3-2. The Terps struggled all match to get anything working offensively
“When we got out of system there late in the fourth and the fifth we were playing an out of system game where its hard to find points,” Hughes said.
Though the weekend ended on a sour note, there are plenty of bright spots for the Terps to lean on.
Junior Laila Ricks posted 24 kills, 17 blocks, and eight service aces throughout the weekend. The Terps’ defensive prowess was displayed, with Maryland capturing 38 total blocks for the weekend.
One area of improvement needed for Maryland is the offensive side, where the Terps struggled in their last match.
“I just think our hitters, including myself, need to be more comfortable in uncomfortable situations,” said Csire.
Maryland will look to improve the attack heading into their next matchup against San Diego State in San Diego, California.
