Terps Play At Virginia Tech Friday Night
9/29/2005 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 29, 2005
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland is the only undefeated team in the ACC (3-0) and is garnering national attention for its new offensive strategy. The Terps lead the ACC in kills with 187 (17.0 apg) and have five players with more than 100 kills.
At the helm is middle blocker Rachel Wagener who leads the team with 142 kills and a .426 hitting percentage. Senior Stephanie Smith leads the team with 69 blocks and has 109 kills. Central for the team are key setters Teryn Papp (6.88), freshman Tedi Doucet (5.71) and libero Stephanie Doiron who leads the team in digs with 168 (4.1).
Underclassmen breaking into the ACC ranks are freshman Maggie Schmelzle at second in service aces with 11 in the league, and sophomore outside hitter Beth Gillming posting a 4.0 average per game. Left-hander freshman Mary Beth Brown and versatile sophomore Jade Brown are attacking opponents as M.B. Brown is third for the team in blocks and Jade ranks third in kills (2.8 average).
Virginia Tech comes into the match 6-5 (1-1 ACC) and plays strong at home. Last week, Virginia Tech was 1-1 with a loss to North Carolina (0-3) and a victory over North Carolina State on Sunday (3-0).
The Hokies are led by six-foot-one middle blocker Katie Esbrook who has 134 kills to date (3.44 average). Senior Melissa Markowski totaled 75 assists for the week and is ranked second in the ACC with 12.38 assists per game. On defense, the Terps will keep a close eye on Amanda Cloyd who has an impressive 177 digs for the year (4.54 average) and strong server Sarah Munoz who has five double-doubles.
Maryland leads the series 4-0 against Virginia Tech. In 2004, the Terps defeated the Hokies 3-0 in College Park.
Following Friday night's game, Maryland will face rival Virginia Saturday at 5 p.m. in Charlottesville.
