Preview: Maryland volleyball returns home to take on Iowa

Maryland volleyball (13-12, 4-9) prepares to face off against Iowa (7-17, 1-12) on Sunday. This will be the second matchup of the season between the schools, as Maryland won the first match in Iowa City, 3-1.

The Terps are coming off of a 3-1 loss against Penn State. 

After a close score in the beginning of the first set, Penn State grabbed control and kept it till the end, winning 25-21.

Despite the loss, Maryland held Penn State to a .139 hitting percentage, compared to its .194 percentage.

After starting the second set close, a 6-1 run from Penn State gave the Nittany Lions a six point lead, 18-12. The Terps tried to close in but couldn’t, as the Nittany Lions took the set 25-20.

Penn State outscored Maryland in kills, a big reason for the set win

Penn State took an early lead to begin the fourth set, 7-5. The Terps closed in and ultimately took the lead, 16-14. Maryland extended its lead near the end of the set and came out on top, 25-21 to avoid the sweep.

In the set win, the Terps recorded a .313 hitting percentage.

Penn State quickly took a 5-3 lead to open the fourth set, but the Terps caught up and tied the set at 12. Penn State regained its lead and kept it the rest of the way, winning the set 25-21, to win the match 3-1.

Despite the match loss, Maryland outscored Penn State in blocks (11) and recorded a .252 hitting percentage. 

Two terps recorded over 11 kills, junior Sam Csire (15), and freshman Laila Ivey (11). Redshirt junior Anastasia Russ led the Terps with seven blocks. 

Maryland continues to lead the Big Ten in both blocks and opponent blocks, and rank second in service aces behind Indiana. 

Graduate student Rainelle Jones has slowed down in regards to blocks as of late, but she still ranks first in the Big Ten in total blocks (140) and is tied for second in average blocks per set (1.63).

Iowa enters off of a 3-0 loss against Rutgers, its seventh loss in a row.

Iowa took an early 4-2 lead before Rutgers took control, winning the set handily, 25-14.

It didn’t happen the same way, but the second set had the same result, a 25-14 Rutgers win. 

After being down 9-2, Iowa got within four of Rutgers, 14-10, but the Scarlet Knights continued to extend their lead. Rutgers held on in the end to clinch the set, 25-23, securing the sweep over Iowa.

Rutgers outscored Iowa in kills, aces, blocks and assists, and held Iowa to a .000 hitting percentage. 

Despite the loss, three Hawkeyes recorded at least five kills — senior Amiya Jones, and sophomores Michelle Urquhart and Toyosi Onabanjo. 

Iowa enters as one of the worst teams in the Big Ten in average points per set, third-worst at 15.86. Iowa’s defense isn’t much better, as the Hawkeyes allow the highest average opponent hitting percentage in the Big Ten (.234).

Jones and Urquhart have both registered north of 200 points and kills this season. Jones enters with 298 points and 219 kills, while Urquhart enters with 266.5 points and 225 kills.

Jones also leads the Hawkeyes in blocks with 49.

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