Nov. 2, 2012

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Each week during the 2012-13 season a Maryland student-athlete, who has shown excellence on and off the playing field, will be selected as the Solomon Eye Associates Terp of the Week. This week's Solomon Eye Associates Terp of the Week is Ashleigh Crutcher from the volleyball team. Crutcher tallied 20 kills Friday night in a win over Georgia Tech and a career-high 28 kills against Clemson on Sunday. Crutcher's 28 kills is the most in the ACC this season and is the most for a Terp since Lynnsy Jones had 33 on Oct. 12, 2002.

By Megan Galvin | Maryland Media Relations Student Assistant

Last weekend was like any other fall weekend. The Maryland women's volleyball team was about to play two ACC volleyball matches against Georgia Tech and Clemson, and was looking toward their goal - to be in the top half of the ACC - for inspiration.

Sophomore outside hitter Ashleigh Crutcher went into the two matches with the same intention she always has - to win.

Averaging 3.74 kills per set and hitting .231 this year, Crutcher is dominating the floor and looking to fulfill her goal of being a more consistent player than last year.

With her freshman year in the rearview, Crutcher realizes what makes herself tick and how to calm herself down to focus on the team. Her new mentality drove the team to a five-set win against Georgia Tech Friday night and a close, five-set loss to Clemson Sunday.

“It was a great feeling to get the final kill against Georgia Tech in the fifth set - an accomplishment,” Crutcher said.

She couldn't have done it without her teammates though. “The team is a family away from home,” Crutcher said. “They've become so close [to me] and I could go to any of them for anything.”

The team has two goals: to be in the top half of the ACC standings and to have the highest women's team GPA. Last year, the team accomplished the second goal and they are on the right track to accomplish the first with the win against Georgia Tech.

After a complete lineup overhaul last week, Crutcher is more comfortable because the team on the floor has more chemistry and better communication.

“In the game against Clemson, I realized things that were working and my teammates really helped me with finding open shots,” Crutcher, who tallied 28 kills against Clemson, a career high and the most by any ACC player this season, said.

Although the team has experienced some setbacks through injuries, she understands how they add value on the sideline because she was in their position last year.

“For the injured players, it is hard to sit out and watch the team play, but they are still helpful and an encouragement,” she said. “When they come back in the game they will have a new view that will help us improve.”

They surely have some feedback about the Clemson match. Although they can't share it during the game like the other players, they can help prepare the team in practice.

The team is preparing for another ACC volleyball home weekend with games against Wake Forest and Duke. Every day in practice they focus on accomplishing the team's goal by perfecting the defense.