Preview: Maryland volleyball matches up with talented No. 3 Penn State squad

Photo courtesy of Dylan Davies/Maryland Athletics

Maryland volleyball (9-4, 0-2 Big Ten) has dropped its first two conference games and the schedule won’t get any easier. The Terps travel a few hours north to University Park Thursday to tackle its first ranked opponent of the season — No. 3 Penn State (12-1, 2-0 Big Ten) — at 6 p.m.

The Terps’ rocky start in Big Ten play includes losses to Northwestern and Iowa in intense five-set matches. The two had worse records and placed lower in the conference than Maryland, but still, the Terps could not close out.

Following the loss to Iowa, Coach Adam Hughes once again preached the importance of finishing games and executing when it matters most.

“We just continue to find ways to not capitalize on fifth games, moving to 2-3 in five-gamers,” Hughes said.

As Samantha Schnitta emphasized after the Northwestern loss, Maryland must move on and focus on the next opponent. Big Ten volleyball waits for no one and their next opponent is looking like a national championship contender right now.

Penn State is one of a staggering eight ranked Big Ten teams, placing the second-highest only behind No. 2 Nebraska. The Nittany Lions are also tied for second in the Big Ten, trailing undefeated, newly-ranked No. 25 Washington.

Hughes said this Penn State team’s depth reminds him of the elite teams during his time on the Nittany Lions staff.

“We watched [Penn State] play Purdue on TV the other night and it reminds me of some of the years I was there when they were a Final Four team,” Hughes said. “They’ve got weapons all across the board.”

Spearheaded by veteran outside hitter Jess Mruzik, Penn State sports one of the most potent offenses in the nation. They lead Division I in kills per set (14.93) and rank third in hitting percentage (.323).

Mruzik averages nearly 4.5 kills per set, placing second in the Big Ten, and paces the team in total kills, but Penn State’s hitting is outstanding top-to-bottom. The team’s top four leaders in kills are all hitting over .300, including middle blocker Taylor Trammell, who is hitting an absurd .474, ranking as one of the most efficient hitters in the country.

Freshman Izzy Starck facilitates the Nittany Lions’ offense and has already become one of the most prolific setters in her first year.

One of the keys to Penn State’s offense has been their ability to stay in system. The Nittany Lions place second in the nation in assists per set (13.75) and Starck places in the top five (11.09).

For Maryland, Hughes highlighted consistency as a crucial area of improvement for the team going forward.

“When we look at some of the best teams, and the best teams I’ve ever been a part of, just consistent and steady,” Hughes said.

Hughes mentioned that consistency in what he calls the “red zone” — late in sets when the match is within one or two points – is especially important.

Maryland will need to consistently play at the top of its game and deliver in clutch situations on Thursday to match Penn State’s overwhelming talent.