The powerhouse opponents never seem to end for the Maryland volleyball team. In the five matches before Minnesota Wednesday, every single team on the opposite side of the net was recognized as one of the top 25 in the country. Nebraska, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and then Nebraska again – all in a two-week span. No breaks, no breathers, no easy points.

It was a relentless stretch, arguably the toughest any Maryland volleyball team has ever endured. But it was a test that the team figured would be in store at some point during conference play.

“There is no chance for any break and this is the most demanding conference in the country,” said junior libero Amy Dion. “But that's because it's the best conference in the country and if you want to be the best you have to play them.”

Often outmatched by such opponents, the young team looked for subtle ways to learn from their foe and improve their own games. What has been gained in this their first Big Ten season goes beyond the score lines.

“I'm not concerned about the wins and losses,” said head coach Steve Aird. “I told them that my goal is to get 100 percent of their 100 percent, and I think a lot of them are learning what that is.”

For many players, that means not only performing to the best of their ability, but finding a way to keep the right mindset match after match. Each set can wear players down physically, but when your opponents are Big Ten powerhouses, there is also a mental aspect to the continuous fight.

“Every weekend in the Big Ten is tough,” added Dion. “So, you get knocked down, you take a couple of punches, you take a loss but then you get right back up and you start training again because then you're facing the next nationally ranked team.”

A lot of times, those nationally ranked teams are located in far-away gyms. The increased travel time this season has taken some adjusting from the team, but at this point in the year they view it as a positive.

“Just being on the road all the time and missing class is tough,” said sophomore setter Whitney Craigo. “But it's such a cool experience though, just to really be on the road with your team – we get really close.”

With only three games remaining in the season, including a showdown with No. 4 Penn State this Saturday, the team has started to notice an upward trend in the way they approach games and the quality of their play, something they attribute to hardships like the time period they just endured. The attitude was noticeable as the team pushed Minnesota, who had swept the Terps earlier in the season, to five sets Wednesday.

“It can definitely break you down but I think our confidence as a team has really gone up this year as the season has gone on,” said sophomore setter Whitney Craigo. “I think we just see ourselves making more strides throughout the year. After the season ends we'll just be excited for spring because we want to get back in the gym and we want to keep on getting better.”