Terps on Road at Virginia, Virginia Tech
11/4/2010 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 4, 2010
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland volleyball team heads south once again this weekend for Atlantic Coast Conference matches at Virginia and Virginia Tech Friday and Saturday, respectively.
The Terrapins (16-9, 7-6 ACC) have had mild success on the road within the conference but have yet to sweep a weekend series. Maryland is 3-3 on the road in the ACC this season and, in their last road game, topped Georgia Tech, 3-0. The victory was Maryland's first at the O'Keefe Coliseum since 1997.
Maryland will play Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. At 7 p.m. on Friday before taking on Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. on Saturday at 6 p.m.
The Terps are led by freshman Mary Cushman, whose 281 kills rank No. 1 on the team. Maryland's offensive balance has recently come alive with the Terps hitting a season-high .433 against NC State on Oct. 29. In Maryland's two most recent ACC bouts, junior Lisa Scott and sophomore Kara Bates combined for 53 kills on .533 hitting.
After starting the ACC season 0-4, the Cavaliers of Virginia have won six of their last nine to improve to 12-11 and 6-7 within the ACC. The Cavs are led by junior Simone Asque who has 362 kills on the season, second-best in the conference behind only Georgia Tech's Monique Mead (398). Asque also ranks No. 1 in the ACC in service aces with 30 overall and 0.34 per set.
Against Virginia, Maryland leads 32-20 in the all-time series. Earlier this season, the Terps lost to the Cavs, 3-0.
The Virginia Tech Hokies are coming off of a historic win last weekend in which they upset No. 25 Florida State at home. The Hokies are 15-8 and 6-7 in the ACC and have won five of their last seven conference matchups. Virginia Tech is led by senior Felicia Willoughby who ranks No. 2 in the ACC with a .391 hitting percentage. Erin Leaser's 966 assists in 88 sets are second-best in the conference.
Maryland is 10-5 all-time against the Hokies and defeated Virginia Tech, 3-1, at home on Oct. 8.
Following their two-game road trip, the Terps return home for their final home stand of the season. Maryland will host Wake Forest on Nov. 12 before celebrating Senior Day against Duke on Nov. 14.
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