Maryland Returns Home to Host #5 Ohio State, Michigan

Friday, November 18

College Park, MD

7 PM

Maryland

Ohio State

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Maryland Returns Home to Host #5 Ohio State, Michigan

11/17/2022 10:56:00 AM | Volleyball

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Maryland (14-14, 5-11 B1G) vs, #5 Ohio State (19-5, 15-1 B1G)

November 18, 2022
XFINITY Center Pavilion
7 pm ET

Maryland (14-14, 5-11 B1G) vs. Michigan (15-11, 6-10 B1G)

November 19, 2022
XFINITY Center Pavilion
8 pm ET

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Terps return back to the XFINITY Center Pavilion this weekend, beginning with a Friday night matchup against #5 Ohio State at 7 pm. Maryland returns to action on Saturday night for a match against Michigan. Prior to Saturday's match we will honor our seniors Gem Grimshaw, Maddie Naumann, Rainelle Jones and Lexy Finnerty. Both matches will be streamed on B1G+.

THIS WEEK'S STORYLINES

B1g Time

Maryland will begin their three game homestand this weekend as the host #5 Ohio State on Friday night at 7 pm. The Terps will then face the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday night for Senior night at 8 pm.
Maryland picked up its first home Big Ten Victory over Iowa on Sunday, marking its seventh conference victory of the season
Maryland's victory over No.9 Purdue at Holloway Gymnasium on October 16, marked the program's first-ever win over a Top-Ten program on the road since joining the conference in 2014. Prior to losing to No. 1 Nebraska, Maryland won four consecutive road matches for the first time in its Big Ten history.

Maryland Terrapins vs. University of Illinois at Maryland Xfinity Center Pavillion in College Park, MD on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Chris Lyons/Maryland Terrapins

Blocking Blitz

Maryland continues to lead the nation as America's best blocking team. After leading the country with 3.45 blocks per set and 348.5 total blocks last season, the Terps are continuing that trend.
As a team, the Terps average 3.3 blocks per set, nearly two full blocks more than their opponent's 1.7 blocks per set. With 331.5 total blocks so far this season, Maryland has 171 more blocks than its opponents. No other school has more than 300 blocks this season with Denver the next closest competitor with 291 total blocks.
Just like her team, Rainelle Jones continues to shine as the nation's best blocker. Already the active career leader in block assists and total blocks, Jones leads the nation with 1.55 blocks per set and 143 total blocks.
When Rainelle Jones notched her 650th career block on Friday October 7, she passed Rachele Wagener and became the program's all-time leader in total blocks. Now with 685, Jones continues to build on her record.

Top tier defense

Not only has the Terrapin block shone bright this season, so has the team's overall defense.
Individually, Milan Gomillion is sixth in the Big Ten with 390 total digs while the Terps are seventh as a team with 1,275.
Opponents are hitting only .188 against Maryland's defense. That rates sixth in the Big Ten and 91st in the NCAA.
Maryland has taken home four Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors this season as Rainelle Jones took home the honor on August 29 and September 19 before Anastasia Russ and Sydney Dowler took the awards on October 17.

Checking in on the newcomers

Maryland has had several newcomers make their presence felt this season. In total, the four newcomers have totaled 48 digs, 172 blocks, and 337 kills.
Among the freshmen, Laila Ivey leads the duo with 260 kills this season, good for second on the squad. She's also added 34 digs and 46 blocks defensively. Ally Williams has also made an impact from the service line, most recently on match point of the second set against Rutgers with a fantastic serve.
The transfers feature Anastasia Russ and Gem Grimshaw. Russ has over 100 kills and 100 blocks this season, far surpassing her previous season-highs before College Park. She's currently second in the Big Ten with 149 blocks and hitting percentage with a .343 rate.

Scouting the Foes

Ohio State comes in at #5 in this week's national polls after recording two consecutive victories over #13 Purdue and #4 Nebraska. The Buckeyes have dropped just one conference game this season, coming against Nebraska in September.
The Terps will close out the weekend with a Saturday night matchup against Michigan. The Wolverines are 6-10 in conference play, losing three of their last four matches.