COLLEGE PARK, MD – Maryland volleyball defeated Delaware State, 3-1, (25-15, 25-11, 23-25, 25-12) on Sep. 18 at the XFINITY Center Pavilion. Maryland (7-2) has now won six consecutive games.
The Terps dominated in the first set, posting a .483 hitting percentage as a team and recording 16 kills to the Hornets' (2-8) six. Sam Csire posted six kills in the first set, along with a .750 hitting percentage. Maryland's next set followed the same theme.
In the third set, the Terps battled back after falling down 4-0 but dropped the set before rebounding and closing the game in the fourth set in dominating fashion after sparking a 7-0 early run. The Terps won 12 straight sets dating back to Sep. 7 against American before their set three loss.
The Terps received production from many different players. They led the Hornets in kills (47-36), assists (45-33) and aces (13-7).
Samantha Schnitta recorded 10 kills, six aces and six digs.
Lilly Gunter led the Terps with 14 digs while posting five assists and two aces.
Sydney Bryant (11 kills and two blocks) and
Anastasia Russ (six kills and four blocks) were also major impact players.
In her first start of the season, Ellie Watson ended with a stat line of four kills, two aces and four digs. Freshman Duru Gökçen netted a career-high four kills, and Katherine Scheer recorded her first career kill in the match, finishing with four kills overal.
Zoe Huang and Sydney Dowler each recorded double-digit assists. Huang finished with 23, and Dowler had 15.
Breaking Down The Action
Set 1: Maryland 25 - Delaware State 15
- After Delaware State scored the first point of the set, Maryland responded with three consecutive points with kills by Samantha Schnitta and Sam Csire.
- The Terps used a 6-1 run to lead 9-3 and forced a timeout by Delaware State.
- A slide attack from middle blocker Ellie Watson put the Terps up 15-8.
- Maryland led 20-11 after a quick set from Zoe Huang to Anastasia Russ.
- An ace from libero Lily Gunter closed set one 25-15.
Set 2: Maryland 25 - Delaware State 11
- Watson recorded her second kill of the game followed by an ace to start set two 3-1.
- Syndey Bryant recorded a kill at 7-3.
- Bryant tooled the block, and Delaware State trailed Maryland 14-6.
- At 18-8, a roll shot from pin hitter freshman Katherine Scherer scored Maryland another point.
- A huge swing from middle Duru Gökçen closed set two 25-11.
Set 3: Delaware State 25 - Maryland 23
- Maryland trailed 6-4 after a hard swing from Scherer.
- A help set from Gunter to Schnitta put the Terps within one at 8-7.
- Jonna Spohn aces Delaware State and ties the game at 15-15.
- Maryland had their first lead of the game at 17-16 after Schnitta recorded her ninth kill.
- A stuff block from Bryant and Watson, Maryland led 22-21.
- Maryland loses set three 25-23 after an attack error by Scherer.
Set 4: Maryland 25 - Delaware State 12
- Maryland opened the fourth set with a stuff block by Russ and Dowler to lead 2-0
- Russ with a kill at 8-1 to end a long rally and push Maryland's lead.
- Maryland led 13-3 following a Solo block by Russ shut down Delaware State's middle.
- Schnitta with a topspin ace and a four-point service run, to put the Terps up 19-5
- Csire with a kill on the right side to close set four 25-12 and win the game.
Numbers To Know
- 1: Katherine Scherer recorded her first career kill in the match.
- 4: Sydney Bryant recorded 10 or more kills for the fourth time this season.
- 5: Sydney Dowler ranks fifth all-time in assists for Maryland. She now has 3495 assists.
- 6: Maryland is on a six-game win streak.
- 6: Zoe Huang has six consecutive games with 15 or more assists.
- 12: The Terps won 12 consecutive sets after dropping set three.
- 40: Schnitta has 40 games in her career with 10 or more kills, including seven this season.
- 91: Lilly Gunter has 91 career games with 10 or more digs.
Up Next
- The Terps travel to Florida this weekend to play in the UCF Tournament. Maryland will play Nevada at noon EST on Sept. 20 and UCF at 6 p.m EST on Sept. 21. The tournament will be broadcast on ESPN+.
