Preview: Maryland volleyball prepares for matchup against Northwestern

Maryland volleyball (10-8) prepares to face Northwestern (13-5) in its first of two against the Wildcats.

The Terps enter off their first Big Ten win, a sweep over Rutgers.

In a back-and-forth start to the match, Maryland held a slim 14-13 lead in the first set. Maryland extended its lead with multiple runs, winning the first set, 25-20. 

The Scarlet Knights led the Terps in kills in the first set, but Maryland held Rutgers to a .151 hitting percentage, compared to its .243 percentage. 

The Terps started the second set with a powerful 6-1 run before Rutgers cut Maryland’s lead down to just four, 10-6. The Terps remained ahead due to a strong offensive set, ultimately winning set two, 25-15.

The strong hitting set led the Terps to record 13 total kills. Freshman Laila Ivey recorded almost half of that total with five. The Terps recorded a .48 hitting percentage.

Starting the third set with a momentous drive, the Scarlet Knights were the first to set the tone of the set, putting up the first point. Quickly following, the Terps answered back, tying the set, and then taking the lead. Despite Rutgers’ 6-5 lead, the Terps went on a 10-1 run of their own, allowing them to take a seven point lead. 

With Rutgers fighting for a comeback, the Terps extended their lead into the end of the set, winning the set, 25-16, and the match, 3-0.

Maryland outscored Rutgers in kills, aces, blocks and assists. Maryland held Rutgers to a .086 hitting percentage, while the Terps recorded a .290 hitting percentage themselves.

“I think we’ve gotten cleaner,” coach Adam Hughes said. “I think we’re trying to simplify, and not turn things. Sometimes as coaches you want things to be complex, because you see a lot of different situations and sometimes it creates more chaos than you needed.”

Junior Sam Csire and Ivey both registered 12 kills in the match. The match was big for junior Laila RIcks, as she recorded her 270th career block. Junior Sydney Dowler will be looking to join Ricks in reaching a monumental feat against Northwestern, as she needs just one assist for 1,900 in her career.

Northwestern enters off of a 3-1 loss against No. 6 Ohio State.

Northwestern took an early lead in the first set and kept it throughout the set, winning set one, 25-21. Mirroring the first set, the Wildcats took the lead to start set two, but Ohio State went ahead towards the middle stages of the set. Ohio State won the set, 25-23. 

Coming off of its second set win, Ohio State went on a 4-0 run to start the third, but the Wildcats tied the score at six. The Buckeyes held a slim 21-20 lead near the end of the set, and held on after the next few points, winning the set, 25-23.

Ohio State won the fourth set much more comfortably, 25-15, clinching the match victory.

Ohio State held Northwestern to a .198 hitting percentage, but Northwestern outscored Ohio State in kills (63) and assists (60). 

The Wildcats currently lead the Big Ten in assists per set (12.91) and kills per set (13.83). Meanwhile, the Terps rank last in the conference in both those stats.

“[Northwestern’s] done a good job from last year,” Hughes said. “I think they were 2-7 in five gamers, but they stayed the course and now they got two top 25 wins and it’s a great year for Northwestern, and we got a big challenge as a result. “

Northwestern will host the Terps at home in Evanston, Ill., on Friday at 8 p.m.