Aug. 26, 2010
Match Notes | Live Video vs. Missouri
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The University of Maryland volleyball team gears up for their season opener on the road in Columbia, Mo., at the Tiger Invitational starting Friday, Aug. 27. The Terps play three squads, host Missouri, Utah Valley and Nevada.
"It should be a great weekend to see where we are with the things we've been working on and to compete against someone in a different jersey," head coach Tim Horsmon said. "The players have worked hard this summer and the last few weeks so we are excited to get this season started. I think people will see that this team is starting to put things together and we are laying the foundation for an excellent program."
Maryland is led by four of six starters from last year's team: senior Brittney Grove, juniors Maddi Lee and Lisa Scott and sophomore Kara Bates. They have also added four decorated newcomers, Carlisle Abele, Mary Cushman, Sarah Harper and Caroline Niski. Cushman was the New York State Gatorade Player of the Year and an Under Armour High School All-American Second Team selection.
The Terrapins start the Tiger Invitational against the Tigers at 7:30 p.m. ET Friday, whom they have only played once. Mizzou also has a strong returning contingent with five of six starters and its libero from last year's team which finished with its most wins (18) since the 2005 season. Live audio and video will be available for this match only through Mizzou All-Access.
On Saturday, Aug. 28 at 11 a.m. ET, Maryland takes on Utah Valley and Nevada for the first time ever. UVU finished 2009 with a 20-10 overall record and a 10-2 mark in the Great West Conference. Five starters return for the Wolverines but the key returner is Kayli Broadbent-Doxey who led Utah Valley with 494 kills last year, which earned her GWC Player of the Year honors.
Later in the day the Terps face the Wolf Pack. Nevada finished fourth in the Western Athletic Conference last season with a 7-9 record and 11-20 overall. They also return five starters from last year and 10 letter winners.
Following the road trip, Maryland returns to College Park for their home opener, hosting the Spring Hill Suites at Arundel Mills Maryland Invitational at Comcast Center. The tournament kicks off on Friday, Sept. 3 as the Terps first take the floor at 7:30 p.m. against Fordham. They will play two more matches on Saturday, against Bradley at 12:30 p.m. and nearby foe Georgetown at 7 p.m.
In combination with the ever competitive Atlantic Coast Conference schools, the Terps' schedule also features four tournaments and eight teams that earned NCAA tournament berths last year.
Fans will have nine chances to catch their Terrapins at home against ACC competition in addition to the two tournaments in September which feature six total matches.
-Go Terps-
