Preview: Maryland volleyball gets set for tough battle against No. 1 Nebraska

Maryland volleyball (13-10, 4-7) prepares for a bout against No. 1 Nebraska (18-2, 10-1) in the second match of the season between the schools. Nebraska arose victorious earlier this month, cruising past Maryland 3-1 in College Park.

Following back-to-back defeats at home, the Terps defeated Iowa 3-1 their last time out.

Maryland took an early 7-4 lead in the first set, and a 5-1 run from the Terps helped them extend their lead. The Terps remained in control throughout the first set, winning 25-18.

Despite tying in kills (13) in the set, Maryland recorded a .313 hitting percentage — vastly better than Iowa’s .184 percentage.

Like in set one, Maryland got ahead first in the second set, but this time Iowa bounced back. The Hawkeyes led 17-13 in the middle stages of the set and found some breathing room near the end, winning the set 25-16.

Iowa recorded a much better .448 hitting percentage in the second set and outscored Maryland in kills. 

Maryland’s slim 5-3 lead in the third set grew by six with nine points to go, 6-10. The Terps extended their lead, and with ease, closed out the third set successfully, 25-18.

Looking to close out the match, Maryland striked first in the fourth set but Iowa quickly took the lead. On a powerful 8-1 run, the Hawkeyes opened up their lead to seven. Maryland promptly gained momentum and closed in on Iowa’s lead, and a much-needed kill from freshman Laila Ivey tied the score near the end of the set.

Kills from Ivey and redshirt junior Anastasia Russ, followed by an Iowa attack error, gave the Terps the set and match win.

Russ, Ivey and junior Laila Ricks all recorded at least nine kills in the match — something the Terps have struggled with this season. Maryland ranks second-worst in the Big Ten in kills per set (11.52).

It was also a big night for junior Sydney Dowler, who recorded 31 assists and 11 digs — her fourth match with double-digit digs this season.

The win was Maryland’s fourth in a row away from College Park, as the Terps have yet to lose a conference road match this season.

Nebraska enters off of a disappointing 3-0 sweep at the hands of No. 5 Wisconsin its last time out.

The Cornhuskers led early in the first set, but Wisconsin cut Nebraska’s lead to one in the middle stages of the set. Despite numerous kills from sophomore Whitney Lauenstein, Nebraska couldn’t hang on to its lead, and Wisconsin won the first set, 25-23. 

Wisconsin took an early lead in the second set, and grew it by as much as 10. Finding momentum, an 8-0 run allowed Nebraska to close in on WIsconsin’s lead, now down by two.

However, Wisconsin held on, winning the set by two. 

The Badgers dominated the third set, winning 25-18 to take the match from Nebraska.

The loss was the first in conference play for Nebraska, and just the second on the season. Nebraska’s lone other loss occurred in early September, when the Cornhuskers fell to then-No. 9 Stanford.

Nebraska enters as one of the strongest defensive teams in the Big Ten, as the Cornhuskers allow the lowest opponent hitting percentage (.124) and the lowest opponent kills per set (10.73).

The Cornhuskers rank in the middle-of-the-pack in most offensive statistics in the conference.

Senior Kaitlyn Hord has been one of the best blockers in the Big Ten this season. Her 1.59 average blocks per set ranks third in the conference, behind only Danielle Hart of Wisconsin and Maryland’s own Rainelle Jones.

The match on Saturday will start at 8:30 p.m. and will take place at the Devaney Center in Lincoln.