Preview: Maryland volleyball looks to extend winning streak against Delaware State

Photo courtesy of Dylan Davies/Maryland Athletics

Now boasting a five-game win streak, Maryland volleyball (6-2) looks to build on its momentum against a struggling Delaware State team (2-7). 

The Terps face the Hornets on Wednesday at 3 p.m., a quick turnaround after playing UMBC just three days ago.

The matchup is Maryland’s final non-conference home game, as they travel to Orlando for the UCF Tournament, then return to College Park to begin Big Ten play.

The Hornets took a trip to Connecticut this past weekend for the UConn Tournament, where they went 1-2 including a win over UAlbany and two decisive defeats to undefeated UConn and a solid Dartmouth team.

The Hornets largely run a one-setter offense, with freshman Paige Ahakuelo running the show and leading the team in assists (180). 

Delaware State’s attacking has been lackluster this season, with the squad averaging less than 11 kills per set and hitting only .149.

The Hornets’ top three kill leaders are all hitting under .200, which makes consistent offensive production for the team all the more difficult.

To make up for the offensive shortcomings, the Hornets have done some damage from the service line.

Three Hornets have recorded double-digit service aces this year, highlighted by graduate student Morgan Allen, who has 15 aces to only 6 service errors.

Expect the Terps to try to limit Delaware State’s aces so they don’t ignite scoring runs.

Preventing scoring runs may be a tall task for the Hornets, though, as Maryland’s offense has been red hot recently. Samantha Schnitta’s veteran savviness has proven to be invaluable for the Terps this season.

During Maryland’s five-game win streak, Schnitta has averaged 15 kills per match and hit .537. She has spearheaded a Terps offense that has simply been unstoppable over the past week and a half.

Hughes has emphasized the value of Maryland’s non-conference slate. Every team presents unique challenges and can serve as a “test run” approaching conference play.

“You can try to practice it, look at it in your practices, but it’s very different when you’re doing it in front of a crowd,” Hughes said.

Despite their struggles, Coach Adam Hughes spoke of Delaware State’s offensive pace as something the Terps should focus on.

“It’s an offense that’s faster than any team we’ve probably seen in preseason,” Hughes said. “It might mimic some of the teams in the [Big Ten], just in terms of speed.”

Hughes focused on the Terps dictating the game and keeping the match “out of system” for Delaware State as a key to victory on Wednesday.