by COLLEGE PARK, Md – The Maryland volleyball team took the court for the first time this season defeating Virginia 3-1 on the first night of the Maryland Invite.
On Friday night in College Park Maryland won the back and forth first set 25-21 thanks to a balanced attack led by Laila Ricks’ three kills. The second set was even closer as the two teams battled to a 25-23 score that went Virginia’s way.
The Terps bounced back in the third set which they won 25-19 thanks to timely digs and kills from Paula Neciporuka and Hannah Thompson. Early on, the fourth set may have been the closest of them all as long rallies had fans on the edge of their seat. Maryland managed to finally overwhelm the Cavaliers and put them away 25-22. This was Maryland’s 38th victory in 60 meetings against Virginia in program history.
“I thought it was one of my favorite matches since being at Maryland,” Head Coach Adam Hughes said. “We never put ourselves in a negative spot where we put too much pressure on ourselves. So for a young group it’s a gutty win. Happy to start 1-0.”
Block Party
- Rainelle Jones (Cree) and Cara Lewis both picked up right where they left off last season as two of the country’s best middle blockers.
- Jones finished with a match high 7 blocks with Lewis chipping in 3 of her own.
Csire On Fire
- Outsider hitter Sam Csire had a very well rounded match as she accounted for a team high with 13 kills and 12 digs.
One Maryland
- A lively crowd of 877 was made even livelier by several Maryland sports teams showing their Maryland pride and cheering on their fellow Terps.
- Representatives from the women’s soccer team, football team, baseball team and both men’s women’s basketball teams created their own student section and added to the atmosphere.
- “You really feel the crowd on nights like this. It can really make a difference on those points late in the set hearing the crowd roar for you,” Coach Hughes said.
Up Next
- The Terps are scheduled to play both Central Connecticut State and Hofstra on Saturday at 1 pm and 7 pm, respectively, completing the Maryland Invite.
