Preview: Maryland volleyball gets set for matchup against No. 19 Purdue

Maryland volleyball (15-15, 6-12 B1G) prepares to face off against No. 19 Purdue (19-9, 10-8 B1G) in the second meet up of the season between the schools. The Terps swept the Boilermakers in West Lafayette on Oct. 16 in the first matchup.

The Terps suffered a 3-1 loss to Michigan their last time out.

Off to a jittery start to start the first set, the Terps trailed 6-3, before Maryland picked up momentum to gain its own lead. In a back-and-forth set, Maryland came out on top, 28-26. In set two, Michigan led early, 7-2. Despite a 7-0 run late by the Terps, Michigan won the set 25-22.

Maryland had the lead well into the third set, until an astounding 11-0 run from Michigan gave the Wolverines the set win, 25-23. Michigan won the fourth set much more comfortably, 25-11, to clinch the match win in comeback fashion.

Michigan outscored Maryland in kills, aces, blocks and assists. The Terps were also held to a .102 hitting percentage. 

Despite the loss, junior Sam Csire led the Terps with 15 kills. Redshirt junior Anastasia Russ was right behind her with 13 kills and four blocks. Russ’ performance from last week in matches against then-No. 5 Ohio State and Michigan awarded her Big Ten Player of the Week honors.

Csire leads the Terps in average points per set (3.92), ninth among all Big Ten players.

Junior Sydney Dowler recorded 34 assists increasing her season total as she’s performed as one of the best players in the Big Ten in that category. Dowler averages 8.78 assists per set, seventh-best in the conference.

Sophomore Milan Gomillion recorded 25 digs, the third team she’s gone over 20 in a match this season. Gomillion ranks fifth in the Big Ten in average digs per set (4.02).

As a team, Maryland continues to lead the Big Ten in blocks by a wide margin. The Terps have recorded 361 blocks, while no other Big Ten school has recorded 300.

Like Maryland, the Boilermakers enter off a loss — except they were swept by No. 5 Nebraska.

Nebraska narrowly won each of the first two sets, 25-22 and 25-20, before comfortably winning the third 25-11 to sweep Purdue. 

Purdue was outscored in kills, blocks and assists, and was held to a .016 hitting percentage. 

Despite the loss, the Boilermakers were led by senior Maddy Chinn, who recorded seven kills and three blocks. Purdue was also led by sophomore Raven Colvin, who recorded a striking five blocks. Colvin ranks eighth in the Big Ten in average blocks per set (1.36). 

Purdue is led by freshman Eva Hudson, who ranks in the top five in both kills and points in the Big Ten. Hudson’s 505 points leads the conference, and her 445 kills is the second-most.

Purdue ranks in the middle-of-the-pack in the Big Ten in most statistics. The Boilermakers rank top five in fewest opponent blocks per set (2.02) and fewest opponent service aces (1.18)

The match on Wednesday will start at 7 p.m. and will take place at the XFINITY Center Pavilion in College Park.