Preview: Maryland volleyball gets set for Cavalier Classic

After a 2-1 showing in the Aztec Classic, Maryland volleyball hits the road again, this time to Charlottesville, Virginia for the Cavalier Classic. The Cavalier Classic will be the Terps’ fourth and final tournament before the start of conference play.

To start the three match tournament, the Terps will play a doubleheader on Friday against Mercer (4-5) and East Carolina (4-5).

The Terps enter off a close 3-2 loss against Arizona their last time out.

After a close loss in the first set, the Terps went up 2-1 in the match after winning the second and third sets. Arizona took the fourth set, ending with an eight point lead, and continued its lead into the fifth. The Wildcats reached 15 first, clinching the match victory.

The Terps led the game in total points (80.5) and kills (63), but Arizona led the game in total aces (nine), blocks (13), and digs (76). The Terps and the Wildcats both notched 56 assists.

Junior Sam Csire, freshman Laila Ivey, graduate student Rainelle Jones, and junior Anastasia Russ all played key roles in the second and third set victories for the Terps.

“Learn where we fell apart last weekend and focus on making less errors and being comfortable with being uncomfortable, especially for the outside and the pins,” Csire said on the Terps’ main focus ahead of the Cavalier Classic. 

Mercer enters following a 3-0 defeat against Stetson. 

Keeping the first set close, the Bears found themselves down but still in it, but Stetson hung on for the 25-21 set win. The second set started as a back-and-forth affair, but the Hatters ultimately took the set 25-15. 

The third set replicated a similar neck-and-neck battle like in the first set, as Mercer trailed by just a few points. The Bears tried to fight back for a win, but found their fight unsuccessful as Stetson won the third and final set, 25-23.

Graduate student Annie Karle has been the heavy hitter on offense for the Bears. Karle leads Mercer in points (145) and kills (126).

East Carolina enters off of a 3-0 victory over Old Dominion. 

Winning all three sets, the Pirates’ strong defense played a big part in their sweep. 

Though the set was close, the Pirates won 25-23, and won the second by the same score. East Carolina won the third set by a wider margin, 25-15, clinching the match win.

East Carolina outscored the Monarchs in points (59.0), kills (38), assists (35), blocks (14), and aces (seven).

Freshman Angeles Alderete has been fantastic for the Cavaliers offense. Alderete leads East Carolina in points (159) and kills (139), both top-40 in the country among Division One players.

Following Maryland’s double header on Friday, the Terps will play Virginia (6-2) Saturday.

The Cavaliers enter off of a 3-2 loss against Charlotte.

With 11 Cavalier attack errors in the first set, Charlotte took the set by ten points, 25-15. Charlotte won the second set in a close match, but the Cavaliers took the third set as a result of multiple scoring runs, 25-17. 

Continuing their winning run, the Cavaliers put up a phenomenal defensive performance to keep their lead despite Charlotte’s efforts to cut the lead. The Cavaliers won the fourth set 25-22, forcing a fifth.

Charlotte won the fifth set 15-13, clinching the match win.

Unlike Mercer and East Carolina, Virginia has two players with over 100 points this season. Graduate student Grace Turner (128.5) and sophomore Abby Tadder (107.5) are top two on the Cavaliers in points, and Turner has recorded 109 kills as well.

Going into these last three games before league play, the Terps look to clean up plays and stay consistent. 

”I think from an offensive standpoint, we’re working on some things, trying to diversify a little bit,” coach Adam Hughes said. “[From a] blocking standpoint, we saw a couple different plays last week, which taught us some things about what we need to do better.”

Maryland’s Friday match against Mercer starts at 10 a.m., followed by a 5 p.m. match against East Carolina. Maryland returns on Saturday to play Virginia at 3 p.m.