As the end of nonconference play approaches, Maryland volleyball (6-2) hopes to extend its five-game winning streak. The Terps defeated both Lehigh and UMBC in straight sets over the weekend at the Xfinity Center Pavilion.
Maryland now takes on Delaware State Wednesday in its last home match of the nonconference slate. The match will begin at 7 p.m. and stream on Big Ten Plus.
Delaware State Hornets (2-7, 0-0 MEAC)
2023 record: 17-13 (9-5 MEAC)
In his second season at the helm, head coach David Brooks is under serious pressure to get his team back over .500. Delaware State has endured four consecutive winning seasons, including an NCAA tournament berth two years ago, but the Hornets have struggled this season.
Last weekend, Delaware State went 1-2 in the UConn Tournament, losing in straight sets to both UConn and Dartmouth, while defeating Albany in four sets. Through the first nine games, the Hornets are tied for their worst start since the 2019 season, the last time they finished under .500.
Players to watch
Gerren Tomlin, junior outside hitter, No. 1 — Last season, in her first year with Delaware State, Tomlin finished third on the team in both kills (174) and service aces (31). This season, she has taken the next step and become the focal point of the offense. Tomlin leads the team with 75 kills and 16 service aces, while also tallying the second most digs on the team with 71.
Paige Ahakuelo, freshman setter, No. 9 — While she split setter minutes with Naz Tuncay to begin the season, an injury to Tuncay opened up the door for Ahakuelo to start. She has fully taken advantage of this opportunity, and now leads the team with 180 assists. Ahakuelo tallied a season-high 47 assists against Charlotte, an effort that earned her MEAC Rookie of the Week.
Strength
Serving. Delaware State has been a solid serving team so far this season. The Hornets have recorded 61 service aces, good for fourth in the MEAC and tied for 64th in the country. Brooks’ squad has recorded double-digit service aces in two games, which resulted in their only two wins of the season. The matchup against Maryland figures to be tight if Delaware State can serve well.
Weakness
Defense. The Hornets have been a below-average defensive team through nine games. The team ranks last in the MEAC in opponents hitting percentage at .255, which also ranks 308th out of the 334 teams in Division I. Maryland has been one of the better teams in the country in terms of attacking hitting percentage, ranking 26th in the nation. Look for an efficient Maryland team to take full advantage.
Three things to watch
1. How far into the bench does Maryland go? The Terps have three matches in four days, including Wednesday’s match against Delaware State. Maryland’s depth will be tested as it tries to keep players fresh throughout. If the Terps get out to an early lead, look for head coach Adam Hughes to cycle in some bench players.
2. Unfamiliar foe. Maryland has only faced the Hornets once in program history. The squads matched up against each other in 2016, when the Terps won in straight sets. This unfamiliarity could lead to some in-game adjustments from Hughes.
3. Samantha Schnitta’s serving dominance. Through the first four matches of the season, Schnitta tallied only three service aces. She has been red-hot since Maryland’s match against Alabama A&M, recording 16 service aces over the past four matches. This stretch has catapulted Schnitta to 11th in the country in service aces per set (0.68).
