Maryland volleyball (7-2) matched last season’s longest winning streak, six games, with its four-set victory over Delaware State on Wednesday. The Terps have rebounded from two early losses to LSU and New Hampshire, only dropping three sets since then.
The UCF Tournament marks the end of Maryland’s nonconference slate. The Terps open up the tournament on Friday, facing off against Nevada at noon before taking on UCF at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Nevada Wolf Pack (7-2, 0-0 Mountain West)
2023 record: 7-22 (3-15 Mountain West)
In her first year at the helm, head coach Shannon Wyckoff-McNeal looks to lead the Wolf Pack to their first winning season since 2019. So far this season, she has done exactly what she was hired to do: win matches. Nevada’s 7-2 record through the first nine matches is its best since that 2019 season.
After falling to Cal in straight sets to open the season, the Wolf Pack have won seven of their last eight. Last weekend, Nevada swept the field at the Riverside Classic, beating CSUN and UC Riverside in straight sets and California Baptist in four sets.
Players to watch
Kinsley Singleton, freshman libero, No. 3 — With back-to-back Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors, Singleton is having a freshman campaign to remember. She leads the team with 155 digs, which is tied for 52nd in the country and first in the Mountain West. Singleton’s 39 digs over the weekend earned her Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week.
Tehya Maeva, sophomore setter, No. 7 — After leading the Wolf Pack with 556 assists last season, Maeva has picked up right where she left off. Through the first nine games, she has already tallied 314 assists, which is tied for 57th in the nation. Maeva also leads the team with 10 service aces, and her 18 total blocks rank third on the team.
UCF Knights (5-1, 0-0 Big 12)
2023 record: 17-12 (8-10 Big 12)
Second-year head coach Jenny Maurer is under pressure to lead the Knights back to the NCAA Tournament. Last season, UCF failed to make the tournament, ending a run of five-consecutive tournament berths.
The Knights opened up the 2024 campaign with five-straight wins before falling on the road to No. 18 Florida State on Sunday in the Seminole Classic. UCF now hosts three games at home, having gone 10-5 in such games last year.
Players to watch
Avah Armour, sophomore outside hitter, No. 10 — After finishing third on the team in kills (226) last season, Armour has made drastic strides in 2024. She leads the team in both kills (87) and points (97.5) through the first six matches. Armour’s 3.8 kills per set rank fifth in the Big 12. She is the Knights’ top option out wide.
Abby Schomers, redshirt sophomore setter, No. 1 — In her first year at UCF, Schomers produced a strong season, starting in all 29 matches. She tallied 1,073 assists last season and has continued that success with 228 assists this year. Her 9.9 assists per set are good for eighth in the conference. Schomers also ranks second on the team with 18 blocks.
Three things to watch
1. Back on the road. Maryland has played five of its last six matches at home, a big advantage during its six-game winning streak. With the homestand coming to a close, the Terps go back on the road to Orlando, Fla. Maryland has struggled on the road recently, going 4-10 last year and winning one of three matches to open the season down in Baton Rouge, La.
2. Balanced attack. The Terps have done a good job spreading the ball around so far this season. While pin hitter Samantha Schnitta leads the team with 108 kills, outside hitters Sam Csire and Sydney Bryant each have at least 80 kills.
3. Will Maryland continue its winning streak? Maryland has won six consecutive matches, tying last season’s longest winning streak. The last time the Terps won more than six in a row was 2021, which came during an unbeaten nonconference run. Two more wins will allow Maryland to head into conference play with serious momentum.
