COLLEGE PARK, Md. —- Maryland volleyball head coach Adam Hughes brought in seven players over the offseason in an effort to avoid another disastrous year. The combination of inexperienced returners and new pieces wasn’t panning out through two games.
However, the Terps have come a long way since then.
Coming into Wednesday’s home opener against Delaware State, Maryland aimed to extend its winning streak to four games. Hosting a weaker opponent, the Terps refused to let that chance pass them by, dominating the Hornets in a 3-0 sweep.
After two disappointing losses in its opening weekend against Coastal Carolina and North Carolina, Maryland has won nine of its 11 sets during its three-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Hornets lost their last three games. It was evident throughout, as Maryland was a much stronger force.
Maryland started on fire, winning the first set without trailing, going on multiple runs in the process — the most of which was a six-point run.
Senior Ajack Malual led the way in the first set with six kills. She would end the set with an ace as the Terps ran away with an impressive 25-11 first-set victory. The Terps’ defense was also strong, out-blocking the Hornets, 5-2.
“She’s been producing offensively,” Hughes said of Malual. “She’s had a couple sets in the first couple matches we’ve had where she’s had six or seven kills, which is hard to do, but some of the areas have followed that as well.”
The Hornets kept the second set close, staying within a point of the Terps early on. But the Terps went on a four-point run to secure the lead and wouldn’t relent.
Redshirt freshman Lilly Wagner racked up seven assists in the second set. Wagner would finish the match with 21 assists — her lowest mark of the season, despite leading the Terps on Wednesday.
Malual once again led the Terps’ attack, adding four more kills to her resume, continuing their dominance to a 25-14 set victory.
The Hornets went toe-to-toe with the Terps to begin the third set, but that changed quickly. The Terps erupted for a 10-0 run, giving them a commanding lead. Delaware State fought back hard but eventually fell to the Terps, 25-19.
“It’s nice to have a home crowd,” Hughes said. “You know, we know we had some big matches coming down the pipe in a couple weeks and expecting huge crowds, but just nice to be home.”
The Terps improved to 4-2 on the season, extending their win streak to four games. Maryland looks to continue its streak during a two-game weekend at Wake Forest and Davidson in North Carolina.
