Volleyball Team Heads To Penn State Classic
9/2/1999 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 2, 1999
COLLEGE PARK, MD. - After winning its opening match Wednesday night against Villanova, the University of Maryland volleyball team (1-0, 0-0 ACC) travels to Penn State this weekend for a full slate of action. On Friday, the Terps face Bradley at 5 p.m., and on Saturday, they face Akron at 11 a.m. and Penn State at 8 p.m.
Scouting Maryland
Maryland (1-0, 0-0 ACC) is coming off a four-set opening-night win over Villanova on Wednesday at Ritchie Coliseum. The Terps won 15-5, 15-4, 6-15, 15-11. Freshman Carey Brennan (Smithsburg, Md.) and senior Beth Murphy (Golden, Colo.) each posted 15 kills. Sophomore Libby Alberts (Eden Prairie, Minn.) recorded 51 assists. Also posting double figures in kills against the Wildcats were senior Kate Hannas (Ellicott City, Md.) with 11 and junior Nnenna Amobi (Silver Spring, Md.) with 10. Amobi also turned in two solo blocks and five block assists. Murphy and freshman Amanda Ayres (Chesapeake Beach, Md.) each posted three service aces. 1999 marks the fourth consecutive season that the Terps have started off the season with a victory.
Quoting Head Coach Janice Kruger
Maryland head coach Janice Kruger was pleased with Wednesday's performance and is eager to find out how the Terps will do this weekend at Penn State.
"I was very impressed with our younger players tonight," she said. "We ball controlled better than we have ball controlled in the past. We had a solid attack and our defensive play was above and beyond what I had expected for tonight. I feel good going into this weekend with a win."
Maryland vs. Bradley
Maryland and Bradley square off for the first time since Sept. 22, 1990. The Terps defeated the Braves in that meeting 14-16, 15-10, 15-4, 15-5. Maryland trails in its all-time series against Bradley 2-1. The Braves last defeated the Terps on Sept. 3, 1988 15-4, 15-11, 15-9. Last season, Bradley finished 9-19. This year, the Braves have 10 newcomers on their roster. Senior attacker Abigail Kohnen is Bradley's top returner.
Maryland vs. Akron
Maryland faces Akron for the first time since Sept. 1, 1995. The Zips handed the Terps a season-opening 15-11, 10-15, 15-9, 15-9 setback in that meeting. Maryland is 2-1 lifetime against Akron. The last time the Terps beat the Zips was on Oct. 7, 1990, as they won 15-17, 15-5, 15-5, 5-15, 15-10. Akron finished 18-11 in 1998. This season, the Zips are led by senior setter Kim Schaper and senior right side attacker Kim Branam.
Maryland vs. Penn State
1999 marks the 22nd meeting between Maryland and Penn State and the first since Sept. 7, 1990. The Nittany Lions won that meeting 15-10, 15-6, 15-3. Maryland trails in its all-time series against Penn State 15-6. The last time Maryland defeated Penn State was on Oct. 11, 1989, as they took a 17-15, 16-14, 15-13 decision. Last season, the Nittany Lions advanced to the NCAA finals before falling to Long Beach State in the title game. Penn State opened up the 1999 season as the top-ranked team in the AVCA Top 25 poll. The Nittany Lions, however, managed only a split at the season-opening State Farm Classic in Lincoln, Neb., this past weekend, falling to No. 8 Florida 15-12, 8-15, 15-10, 10-15, 15-12 on Friday and defeating No. 3 and host Nebraska 11-15, 15-12, 15-8, 16-14 on Saturday. Senior setter Bonnie Brenner, senior middle hitter Lauren Cacciamani and senior outside hitter Carrie Schonveld are Penn State's top returners this season.
.
