Preview: Maryland volleyball prepares for toughest test of season against No. 3 Nebraska

Maryland volleyball (9-6) gets set for a matchup against No. 3 Nebraska (11-1), still searching for its first conference win of the season.

Maryland dropped a five setter its last time out against Michigan State, 3-2. Neither the Terps nor the Spartans won consecutive sets.

The Spartans took the lead early in the first set, but the Terps soon followed to make it a close set. A 6-0 run for the Spartans towards the end helped them clinch the set win, 25-18.

Michigan State held Maryland to a -.095 hitting percentage in set one.

Maryland started the second set strong, leading the Spartans by seven, 10-3. Despite Michigan State’s efforts to close in on Maryland’s lead, the Terps extended their lead and didn’t look back, winning the set, 25-15.

Maryland showcased a much better all-around performance in the second set. The Terps led in kills and recorded a .400 hitting percentage. 

Michigan State striked first in the third set but Maryland quickly answered back and took the lead. The Spartans responded with a short run of their own, and they kept the lead the rest of the set for the 25-19 win.

The Spartans led the set in kills, but the Terps led in total assists. 

Mirroring the second set, the Terps dominated the start of the fourth set with a big lead. Michigan State didn’t reach double digits until close to the end of the fourth, but the Spartans quickly found momentum to put the set within four. Despite their efforts, the Terps won the fourth set, 25-16, forcing a fifth. 

Maryland doubled its kill total over Michigan State in the set and held the Spartans to a .032 hitting percentage, compared to its .333 percentage.

Maryland took the lead early in the fifth set and led 8-5 near the middle of the set. However, Michigan State’s offense turned lethal as the Spartans went on a 10-0 run to win the set, 15-8, and the match, 3-2.

“I think we are going to have to wash this off pretty quickly,” Anastasia Russ said.

The Terps ended the match with 51 kills, 43 assists, and outscored the Spartans in aces (nine) and blocks (14). The Terps were held to a .233 hitting percentage. 

Despite their loss, the Terps continued their season-long streak of outscoring their opponents in blocks. Rainelle Jones, the nation’s leader in blocks being the forefront of the Terps’ success, recorded eight blocks in the match. Jones (97) and Russ (75) rank top-two in the Big Ten in blocks.

Nebraska enters off a swift 3-0 win against Rutgers. 

Taking the lead early in the first set with a run, the Cornhuskers extended their lead to a comfortable margin and won the set, 25-13.

Nebraska striked first in the second set and cruised to a 25-7 win. The third set was closer than the first two, but despite Rutgers’ efforts to keep the match going, Nebraska won the set 25-15, winning the match 3-0.

Nebraska held Rutgers to a -.012 hitting percentage, outscoring the Scarlet Knights in kills (42), assists (38), aces (12) and blocks (four).

The Cornhuskers’ defense has been the strength of the team as they lead the Big Ten in opponent hitting percentage (.125).

“I’m super excited to be playing this team,” Russ said.

The match on Sunday will start at 1 p.m. and will take place at the Xfinity Center Pavilion in College Park.