Nov. 23, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - With a league leading record, the Terps (26-3, 17-3 ACC) hit the road as they head into the final weekend of conference play. The Terrapins face North Carolina State (7-21, 1-19 ACC) on Friday, Nov. 25 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a key matchup with North Carolina (21-9, 16-4 ACC) on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 1:00 p.m. Both matches can be followed on GameTracker.

The Terrapins seek to close out the regular season with two wins to secure an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. Implemented just this year, the ACC Champion is determined at the end of regular season play, rather than a conference tournament. The Terps are one match ahead of North Carolina in the standings.

The Terps lead the ACC in hitting percentage (2.75) and blocks (3.25), landing them #20 and #12 in the NCAA, respectively. Maryland is averaging 16.17 kpg and 14.63 assists.

Maryland won the first contest of the season against N.C. State 3-0 (30-20, 30-22, 30-14) in College Park with Maryland leading the overall series, 33-17. The Wolfpack has played their last four matches away, falling against Florida State (3-0) and Miami (3-1) last weekend.

N.C. State is led by senior middle blocker Stefani Eddins who averages 3.57 kpg for a .402 hitting percentage, helping the team to .170 on the year. Junior Melissa Rabe is N.C. State's leading setter with 9.30 assists per game. Defensively, Eddins has a 1.51 bpg average as sophomore libero Andrea Bentley posts 3.68 dpg assisting the Wolfpack to 14.39 dpg.

The Tar Heels also fell in road matchups last weekend, dropping both contests in five sets against Florida State and Miami. UNC lost to Miami (30-28, 30-26, 25-30, 18-30, 2-15) and against FSU (30-27, 30-24, 24-30, 27-30, 17-19). UNC is hitting .190 on the year and is led by Dani Nyenhuis who has 402 kills (3.47 kpg). The Tar Heels are averaging 18.68 digs per game and 2.60 bpg.

The Terrapins won the first matchup 3-1 (30-17, 25-30, 30-20, 30-24) over North Carolina on October 21 in the Comcast Center. Maryland is behind in the series against UNC, 20-28.