When asked what the biggest contributing factor to the Terrapin volleyball team’s slow start has been, coach Tim Horsmon couldn’t pick just one.
The Terps (4-3) are coming off a 2-2 weekend in which they could have performed much better, and Horsmon relates the team’s lackluster performance to its inconsistent play and level of maturity on the court.
“[We’ve] been pretty consistent with how we’ve practiced — and that’s inconsistent,” Horsmon said. “We have points of brilliance and points when we look young and our play looks immature.”
Last weekend’s play at the Battle of Baltimore embodied Horsmon’s sentiments. The team looked great at times, sweeping Navy and Morgan State in three sets, and terrible at others, losing to Towson and Loyola. Before the weekend, the Terps had a combined all-time record of 24-2 against the Tigers and Greyhounds.
In response to the Terps’ inconsistent play, Horsmon has implemented drills at practice aimed at testing their mental toughness. He said the team will set standards prior to starting a drill, and if those standards are not met, the team will not move on to the next one.
“The kids are working hard,” Horsmon said. “They’re physically working hard. We just mentally have to be more prepared to do the little things well.”
This weekend, the Terps are traveling to Washington to play in the Georgetown Classic. They will face Hampton on Friday, followed by William and Mary and Georgetown on Saturday.
Like last weekend, the team holds a historical advantage: It is 54-20 combined all-time against Georgetown and William and Mary. This is the team’s first meeting with Hampton.
But, unlike last weekend, the Terps are looking to shake off some of their inconsistent play and leave with some much-needed wins.
“We need to show more maturity in terms of understanding situations and individual accountability,” Horsmon said. “I think that if we can get some of that, we’re going to get better.”
engelke@umdbk.com
