The Terrapin volleyball team finishes its season at Boston College at 3 p.m. today.
The Terps (6-25, 2-17 ACC) opened their ACC season against the Eagles in September, and their 3-1 victory was one of just two conference wins this year. Since this loss, Boston College (7-24, 1-18) has remained the only team behind the Terps in the ACC standings.
The Terps’ and Eagles’ seasons have been strikingly similar.
The teams faced the same conference opponents every week and have had identical results. Each team comes into this match on a seven-game losing streak, and each earned its most recent win a little less than four weeks ago against N.C. State.
Both the Terps and Eagles lost to Clemson and Georgia Tech during the weekend, respectively, though the Terps had slightly better results. While the Eagles were swept 3-0 in both matches, the Terps won one set against the Tigers.
The only difference in the teams’ conference records is the season opener between the two, when the Terps beat the Eagles 3-1.
But the teams cannot mimic each other this week, as only one can come out on top.
Outside hitter Maggie Schmelzle and middle blocker Katie Usher should help lead the Terps, as both performed well the last time they faced Boston College. Usher had 12 kills and hit .556 – the highest single-match attack percentage of any Terp this season. Schmelzle had 10 kills and 16 digs, and with one game remaining, she could break the record for dig totals in program history.
Outside hitter Brittney Grove should help the team, as well. Though she did not play in the first match against the Eagles, she has earned more time on the court throughout the season and has 30 kills in the last four matches.
A win in the season finale would keep the Terps above the Eagles and out of the ACC cellar, ending their season on a positive note.
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