The Terps wrap up their season this weekend.
While Maryland volleyball (13-16) has no shot of a NCAA Tournament berth, it still has plenty at stake in its last two matches of the season. The Terps — who currently sit in tie for 15th place in the Big Ten — could finish anywhere from 13th to 17th place in the conference depending on results.
Last weekend, Maryland volleyball traveled up north to Michigan, looking for two victories and some late-season momentum. Instead, the Terps returned with straight-set losses to both Michigan and Michigan State.
Maryland caps off the 2024 campaign with two matches this weekend. The Terps head to Piscataway, New Jersey, to face Rutgers on Friday at 5 p.m. Then, Maryland hosts No. 2 Nebraska for its senior night on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Friday’s match will stream on Big Ten Plus and Saturday’s will air on Big Ten Network.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-23, 0-17 Big Ten)
What happened last time
The Terps picked up their first Big Ten win of the season on Oct. 5 against Rutgers in straight sets. Maryland survived late pushes in each set to snap a three-game losing streak.
Outside hitter Sydney Bryant recorded a game-high 13 kills, while pin hitter Samantha Schnitta was close behind with 10 kills. Offensively, both squads were even, each tallying 36 kills in the match.
But the big difference was behind the service line. The Terps notched 10 service aces and just four service errors, while Rutgers totaled three service aces and 10 service errors. Schnitta had a game-high five aces.
For the Scarlet Knights, middle blocker Zora Hardison had seven total blocks, with outside hitter Anna Hartman tallying six of her own.
What happened since
Rutgers has continued to struggle, as it just picked up its first Big Ten win of the season against Northwestern on Saturday. The Scarlet Knights have fallen 12 times in straight sets during conference play, winning just seven sets outside of their victory.
Rutgers has the fewest kills per set (11) and second-lowest assists per set (10.4) in the Big Ten. Outside hitter Alissa Kinkela is the only player on the team with more than 200 kills this season (307).
No. 2 Nebraska Cornhuskers (28-1, 18-0 Big Ten)
Head coach John Cook — a three-time American Volleyball Coaches Association Coach of the Year — is the longest tenured coach in the Big Ten. He has cemented it as a national powerhouse in his 25 years at the helm, including four national championships. Cook guided the Cornhuskers to the finals last season before falling to Texas in three sets.
Nebraska has been just as good in 2024. The Cornhuskers look poised to make another deep run. After losing to No. 10 SMU in the fourth match of the season, Nebraska embarked on a 25-game winning streak. It has picked up 12 ranked wins, seven of which are against teams in the top 10.
Players to know
Bergen Reilly, sophomore setter, No. 2 — Prep Volleyball’s No. 1-ranked setter in the class of 2023 has been as good as advertised in her first two seasons at Nebraska. Last year, Reilly earned a spot on the AVCA All-America second team. She has carried that over into the 2024 campaign, as Reilly is seventh in the country with 11.2 assists per set.
Lexi Rodriguez, senior libero, No. 8 — The three-time AVCA All-American is having a stellar senior campaign. In a conference filled with talented defenders, Rodriguez has cemented herself as one of the best. Her 3.8 digs per set rank sixth in the Big Ten, helping her earn a place on the AVCA National Player of the Year Watch List.
Three things to watch
1. Similar storyline. Last time Maryland faced off against Rutgers, it came into the match with a three-game losing streak and looked to get back in the win-column. Friday’s game will have the same implications. The Terps hope to come away with a season sweep, something that it failed to do against Michigan State.
2. Senior farewell. Saturday’s match will be the last time eight players suit up in a Maryland uniform, five of which have spent their whole college career in College Park. A signature win over No. 2 Nebraska would certainly end their careers on a high-note.
3. Riding the hot hand. Schnitta — the nation’s leader in service aces — has racked up 20 aces over the past six contests. After recording just nine over an eight-game stretch, she has picked it back up.