The Terps look to end an eight-game losing streak.
Maryland volleyball (10-13) has started conference play with a 1-11 record for the first time in program history. The Terps haven’t won in nearly five weeks and are tied for 16th place in the Big Ten standings, only ahead of Rutgers, its lone conference win.
Maryland is in the midst of an eight-game losing streak, with just one set victory over that stretch. Despite their return to College Park, the Terps were swept in both matches last weekend against then-No. 11 Purdue and Indiana.
Maryland remains at home to face Michigan State on Thursday at 8 p.m., before taking on UCLA on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Both matches will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.
Michigan State Spartans (8-15, 1-11 Big Ten)
Head coach Leah Johnson is off to the worst start in her three years at Michigan State. After guiding the Spartans to 17 wins last season — the team’s highest mark since 2019 — Johnson’s squad has yet to match that success this year. Michigan State went 9-11 in Big Ten play a season ago, which tied for eighth place in the conference.
But the Spartans have gone 1-11 in the Big Ten this season. Michigan State started conference play with eight straight losses, before taking down No. 20 USC in five sets. But that win didn’t fuel Michigan State to any sort of momentum. The Spartans have won just one set over its past three matches.
Players to know
Nalani Iosia, senior libero, No. 1 — Iosia, who just missed out on an American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Region spot last season, has taken her defensive abilities to new levels. She has become one of the best defenders in the Big Ten, with a conference-leading 372 digs. Iosia is also tied for first on the team with 17 service aces.
Zuzanna Kulig, sophomore middle blocker, No. 9 — The 6-foot-4 middle blocker from Poland has been a force at the net this season. After only playing in 12 matches last year due to injury, Kulig is one of the top blockers in the Big Ten. She has recorded 114 blocks this season, which ranks third in the conference and tied for 26th in the nation.
UCLA Bruins (10-11, 4-8 Big Ten)
Life in the Big Ten has proven difficult for second-year head coach Alfee Reft. Coming off an 18-win season, Reft has struggled to match those levels of success in 2024. UCLA ended last year with seven conference wins in its last 10 matches, including two ranked victories.
After taking down then-No. 14 Georgia Tech in their 2024 season-opener, the Bruins fell to then-No. 25 TCU, en route to a 6-3 nonconference record. Then, UCLA faced two Big Ten matches against opponents in the top-15 of the AVCA poll. The Bruins have pushed four ranked teams to five sets, but have been swept in its past two matches.
Players to know
Cheridyn Leverette, junior outside hitter, No. 9 — Coming off a season in which she was third on the team in kills, Leverette has taken a giant step forward in 2024. She leads the team with 311 kills, 29 of which came against No. 9 Purdue. Her 4.1 kills per set rank sixth in the Big Ten and 44th in the country.
Audrey Pak, graduate student setter, No. 11 — Pak took over the starting setter role late in the season last year, but in 2024, there has been no debate about who the starter should be. In a conference filled with talented setters, she has catapulted herself to the top. Pak ranks sixth in the Big Ten with 10.16 assists per set and 43rd in the nation.
Three things to watch
1. Samantha Schnitta continues to struggle. When outside hitter Sydney Bryant went down with an injury, Maryland needed its top-option to elevate her play again. Instead, Schnitta, the team’s leader in kills and service aces, was nowhere to be found. She recorded 18 kills over two matches, but tallied just three aces to seven service errors.
2. Consecutive unranked opponents. After a stretch of six ranked opponents in nine matches, the Terps should be relieved to face an unranked team. While Maryland was unable to beat Indiana, the Terps have two more matches against unranked squads.
3. Blocking woes remain. At one point early in the season, Maryland was one of the best blocking teams in the country. Since then, the Terps have struggled mightily at the net. Maryland ranks second to last in the Big Ten with 2.1 blocks per set.