Oct. 20, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Terps will face the North Carolina Tarheels Friday night in a match-up of the two top teams in the ACC. Maryland (9-1 ACC, 18-1) will play North Carolina (8-1 ACC, 13-6). Game time is 7:00 p.m. at the Comcast Center Pavilion.

Maryland extended its ACC-best record with a win Tuesday night in three games against Boston College (30-27, 30-16, 30-28). The loss left the Eagles 1-9 in the ACC (6-13). The Terps have won four straight matches including wins last weekend against Wake Forest 3-2, and Duke 3-0. Maryland is listed #26 in the CSTV/AVCA Division I Coaches Poll this week.

Maryland, ranked #12 in the NCAA in hitting percentage at .287, is led by six-foot-four middle-blocker Rachel Wagener who has hit 230 kills for the year and is hitting .401. The Terps blocking has been fundamental to their success this year averaging 3.25 blocks per game, effective to land them in the #14 spot in the NCAA. Wagener is first in the ACC with 1.53 blocks per game, followed by senior Stephanie Smith who has 96 blocks on the year and is averaging 1.45 blocks per game.

The Terps have been well served by freshman with outside hitter Maggie Schmelzle listed fifth in the ACC with 31 aces, backed by setter Tedi Doucet who has the game high of seven service aces. Six-foot-one Schmelzle also posts the most double-doubles for the team with seven.

For the year, North Carolina is hitting .192 and is led by six-one Amy Beaver who posts a .318 average with 200 kills. Senior Taylor Rayfield is strong on defense for the Tarheels posting 4.79 digs per game.

In 2004, the Terrapins went 1-1 with North Carolina falling in the first match at North Carolina 1-3, and winning in the Comcast Center in a three game sweep. The Terps need to make up some ground against the Tarheels who lead the series 19-28.

Last weekend, North Carolina won against Clemson (30-17, 30-19, 30-25) and Georgia Tech (30-23, 30-28, 30-10). The Tarheels have won six straight and have posted losses to Fresno State (1-3), San Francisco (2-3), Purdue (1-3), South Carolina (1-3), Arizona (1-3), and Duke (2-3) on the year.

After the game Friday night, the Terps play North Carolina State on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in the Comcast Center. Admission to games is free.