Terps Host Wake Forest, Duke in Final Homestand
11/11/2010 7:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 11, 2010
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland volleyball team hosts its final pair of games this weekend when Wake Forest and Duke arrive at the Comcast Pavilion Friday night and Sunday afternoon, respectively.
The Terps (17-10, 8-7 ACC) will host the Demon Deacons (15-10, 8-7 ACC) at 7 p.m. Friday before welcoming the first-place Blue Devils (21-4, 13-2 ACC) at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Maryland returns to the Comcast Pavilion after avenging an Oct. 10 home loss to Virginia, winning on the road against the Cavs, 3-1 on Nov. 5. The following day, the Terps fell to Virginia Tech in four sets.
Ranked 67th in the RPI ratings, the Terps are led by junior Lisa Scott who leads the team with 98 total blocks and has a chance to move up the Maryland record books this weekend. The Langley, Va. native needs just two block assists to jump Shannon Saltzman who ranks eighth in Maryland history with 261 career block assists. Scott's .346 attack percentage leads the Terps and also ranks seventh in the ACC.
Tied with the Terps at 8-7 in the conference, the Demon Deacons are led by Kadijah Fornah who ranks fifth in the ACC in service aces, seventh in total points and eight in kills. As a team, Wake Forest ranks third in the conference with 1,691 digs. After losing at North Carolina, Wake Forest handled North Carolina Central in three straight sets on Nov. 9.
Maryland leads 22-16 in the all-time series against the Demon Deacons and topped them on the road in a five-set stunner earlier this season.
With only two conference losses, the Blue Devils lead the ACC and rank eighth in RPI. Named the ACC Player of the Week on Monday, Kellie Catanach leads the conference in assists with 11.26 per set. Duke is also led by Christiana Gray, whose .405 attack percentage is the highest in the ACC. Amanda Robertson ranks sixth in hitting with a .350 rate.
The Terps trail 24-39 against the Blue Devils in the all-time series, having narrowly lost to Duke in a heartbreaking five-set loss on Oct. 1.
The final home game of the season, Sunday's match against Duke will serve as Senior Day, when the Terps and head coach Tim Horsmon will honor their four seniors, Brittney Grove, Michelle Kenning, Marissa Odom and Bethany Springer.
Second on the team with 96 total blocks,Brittney Grove has been a consistent offensive and defensive starter all season. The Glen Allen, Va. native needs only five kills and 22 digs to break 600 and 800, respectively. Against Florida State on Oct. 17, Grove tied her career-high with 14 kills.
Named to the Terrapin Invitational All-Tournament team,Michelle Kenning led all players with 12 kills and a season-best .375 hitting percentage against Fordham earlier this year. The Cincinatti, Ohio native, Kenning has 100 kills on the year and 426 over her four-year career.
Tranferring to Maryland from Georgia Southern, Marissa Odom has served as a strong off-the-bench and energetic contributor for the Terps. From Gainesville, Fla., Odom has 110 digs on the season and 404 over her career.
In sole possession of seventh place in school history with 1,123 digs,Bethany Springer put up career numbers this season. Hailing from Frederick, Md., the starting libero already has more digs (435) and assists (79) this season than any prior.
Parking Note
-Fans looking to park on-campus for Sunday's game against Duke can park in Regents Drive Garage for $10 or Lot 1 for free. For more information on parking, please visit http://www.dots.umd.edu .
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