In recent weeks, Maryland volleyball coach Steve Aird has emphasized performing well in uncomfortable offensive situations.
He knows the Terps must manage points when other teams force them out of their normal offensive rhythm. For much of the season, though, that’s been a problem.
The squad ranks second-to-last in the Big Ten in hitting percentage, meaning it has struggled to convert kills.
“The game when it’s played well is calm,” Aird said. “But when you play good teams, they force you to scramble more.”
Coming off a straight-set loss on Sunday to No. 2 Minnesota, in which Maryland made 24 attacking errors, the coach dedicated extensive practice time to fielding “balls that generate chaos.”
Aird hopes those drills teach players to be more mindful of where they hit the ball during broken plays to avoid unforced errors. However, he acknowledged that is “easier said than done” with such a young squad.
Outside hitter Liz Twilley believes the Terps have improved at handling out-of-system balls. There is now more thought behind the team’s ball movement in those situations, she said.
After recording just three kills against Minnesota on Sept. 23, she recorded eight kills on Sunday against the Golden Gophers.
“We’ve worked a lot more on hustle plays and making sure we’re managing the ball,” Twilley said. “Before we weren’t always mindful if it was out of system. We would just swing and not exactly think. We’ve really gotten better at extending rallies and just playing scrappier defense.”
Setter Taylor Smith suggested improved passing from defensive specialists — who she called the team’s “littles” — has made an impact, too.
“Kelsey [Wicinski] has a great out-of-system ball,” Smith said. “So do Sam [Higginbothem] and Nell [Drummey]. Just being able to communicate with them is important. The hitters have been able to trust the out-of-system balls and the littles do a great job of putting up very hittable balls.”
While the Terps have made positive strides on offense, Twilley and Smith acknowledged the continued room for improvement.
Outside hitter Gia Milana, who leads Maryland in kills this season, said the team’s ongoing progression is part of being a young team in a difficult conference.
“If you’re not getting better over the course of the season, then what really are you doing?” Milana said. “I think we’ve taken the time we had to compete against really tough teams to learn and grow.”
