Terp Volleyball Looks For Fourth Straight Win

Nov. 2, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland volleyball looks for its fourth-consecutive win this weekend as the Terps head south for their second-to-last conference series on the road with matches against Virginia and Virginia Tech. The Terrapins (11-11, 4-9 ACC) play the Cavaliers (17-6, 10-4 ACC) on Friday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m., followed by a Saturday, Nov. 4 matchup with the Hokies (14-9, 8-6 ACC) at 6 p.m.

Both games can be followed on Gametracker by visiting www.umterps.com and can be seen on a live webcast by signing on to ACC Select at www.acc.playonsports.tv.

Noting the Terrapins
The Terps (11-11, 4-9 ACC) have won three straight matches, including a weekend sweep over Miami and Florida State in the Comcast Center. The Terps hold a .184 hitting percentage and are led by Jade Brown (.198) with a 3.75 kpg and Mary Beth Brown (.193) at 2.14 kpg.

Senior setter Teryn Papp and Tedi Doucet combined for 744 assists, at 5.39 a/g and 4.55 a/g, respectively.

The Terps are third in the ACC and ranked twenty first in the NCAA with 3.15 bpg. Freshman middle blocker Katie Usher (1.53 bpg), third in the league and breaking into the NCAA top 30 at No. 28, leads the Terps with 118 blocks.

Sophomore libero Maggie Schmelzle holds the team-high of 256 digs for a 3.05 dpg, while junior Beth Gillming posts a 2.82 dpg average, helping the team to a 13.17 dpg.

Last Weekend

Maryland swept both matches last weekend, topping the Hurricanes in a three-game contest (30-24, 30-24, 30-27) and capping off the win with a five-game victory over the Seminoles (30-28, 23-30, 24-30, 30-19, 15-13).

Junior outside hitter Gillming recorded her 1,000th career dig in the Miami match, moving her to No. 5 on Maryland's all-time career record list. She now has 1,019 career digs.

The Terrapins posted a .233 hitting percentage in the match, and kept the Hurricanes to .113, while also outblocking Miami, 10-8. Jade Brown led all players with 16 kills at a .419 hitting percentage. Gillming downed eight kills and Aramburu had six.

In the match against Florida State, Maryland was down 1-2 after winning the first game, and rallied to win the final two (30-28, 23-30, 24-30, 19-20, 15-13). The win increased the Terps' five-game record to 6-1 this season.

The Terps swatted 20 blocks against the Seminoles, led by Usher with the match-high of ten blocks, breaking her into eighth in the top 10 single-season list for block assists with 123. Four Terrapins notched double-figures in kills, led by outside hitters Mary Beth Brown and freshman Ashley Hogan with 11, while Gillming and Jade Brown each had ten for the Terps.

Scouting Virginia

The Cavaliers (17-6, 10-4 ACC) have won four straight, including two weekend matches over North Carolina, 3-2, (30-28, 30-25, 28-30, 21-30, 15-13) and a sweep over NC State (30-16, 30-27, 30-17). Virginia is currently tied for second place in the league with Florida State with a 10-4 league record.

Overall, the Cavs (15.66 kpg) post a .211 hitting percentage and are led by junior middle blocker Katie Oakes (.237) with 3.34 kpg and 1.70 bpg. Junior outside hitter Sarah Kirkwood (.226) has a 3.65 kpg, while Shannon Davis (.235) has a 2.39 kpg.

Junior libero Melissa Caldwell holds the team-high of 3.66 dpg, as the team has collected a 17.24 dpg average. Virginia is third behind Maryland in blocks with a 2.91 bpg.

Kirkwood leads the league with 38 service aces (0.63), as the team is first in the ACC with 184 aces. She also is second in the ACC with 13-08 assists. Senior setter Emily Kirkwood leads the Cavaliers with 981 assists (13.08 a/g.)

Virginia overtook the Terps earlier this season on Sept. 30 at the Comcast Center (30-27, 34-32, 30-21).

The Terps hold an overall 32-13 series lead over the Cavaliers.

About Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech (14.69) holds a .189 hitting percentage, with freshman outside hitter Taylor Parrish (.214) leading the squad with a 3.69 kpg and senior middle blocker Katie Esbrook (.337) with a 2.60 kpg. Esbrook is currently second in the league in hitting percentage.

Freshman setter Michelle Lang has the team-high of 11.54 assists, while Amanda Cloyd (5.09 dpg) has notched the most digs for the team with 443. The Hokies hold a 2.77 bpg, with junior outside hitter Jen Albrecht leading the team with a 1.27 bpg.

The Hokies have won three straight, with wins over North Carolina, 3-1, and NC State, 3-0, and a 3-1 victory over Clemson on Oct. 22. Cloyd notched her third 30-dig match of the season with 33 digs against the Tar Heels.

Virginia Tech won a 3-1 contest over the Terps on Sept. 29, (30-24, 22-30, 30-24, 30-24).

The Terps hold a 6-1 series lead over the Hokies.

Head coach Chris Riley is in his first season with Virginia Tech.

Coming Up

After the contests against Virginia (Nov. 3) at 7 p.m., and Virginia Tech (Nov. 4) at 6 p.m, the Terps return to College Park for a mid-week contest against Boston College (Nov. 7).

Maryland will host Duke (Nov. 10) and Wake Forest (Nov. 12) in the Comcast Center.

Players Mentioned

Jade Brown

Mary Beth Brown

Tedi Doucet

Beth Gillming

Ashley Hogan

Teryn Papp

Maggie Schmelzle

Katie Usher

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