The Maryland women’s volleyball team’s attack struggled against No. 7 Minnesota last week, hitting a season-low .089 while the Golden Gophers recorded nine blocks.
A large part of the Terps’ breakdown revolved around Minnesota middle blocker Regan Pittman, who is 6-foot-5 and rejected Maryland at the net five times. Throughout the match, the Terps had trouble finding clear attacking lanes against a tall Golden Gophers front line.
Entering their third Big Ten match, the Terps will need to find an answer for another physical front court player. Outside hitter Sherridan Atkinson, who is 6-foot-5, leads the conference with 4.40 kills per set and is a key part of Purdue’s blocking game.
“It all starts with Sherridan Atkinson for them,” coach Adam Hughes said. “She’s a very physical player, both at the net blocking and physically.”
[Read more: Minnesota’s quick-strike attack downed Maryland volleyball in its first road Big Ten match]
Atkinson was a third-team All-American selection last season, and Hughes said the Terps have had to gameplan with her in mind, especially on defense.
Middle blocker Rainelle Jones will shoulder much of the responsibility to slow down Atkinson. The 6-foot-3 freshman is second on the team with 44 blocks, and middle blocker Katie Myers leads the squad with 55. Depending on the outside matchups, pin hitters Liz Twilley and Erika Pritchard will likely shift over in an attempt to wane Atkinson’s influence.
“You have to force her into different shots and make sure nothing is easy,” Hughes said.
Boilermakers middle blocker Blake Mohler is also an attacking threat for Maryland to reckon with. The redshirt junior ranks second in the Big Ten and is tied for 12th nationally with a .408 hitting percentage. Mohler also leads the Boilermakers with 65 blocks, averaging 1.30 per set.
[Read more: Maryland volleyball offense struggles in straight-set loss to No. 7 Minnesota]
Against Minnesota’s stout blocking and quick-strike attack, Maryland was downed in straight sets. For the Terps to extend Wednesday’s match with Purdue beyond three frames, libero Allegra Rivas’ play will likely be key. Rivas recorded 23 digs against the Golden Gophers and was subsequently named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
Rivas said practices have had an extra intensity to them leading up to the Terps’ match against the Boilermakers.
Rivas, who’s fifth in the Big Ten with 4.69 digs per set, will need to come up big once again on the defensive backline if Maryland is to neutralize Atkinson.
Members of the men’s club team help simulate what Maryland will face on the court against some of the Big Ten’s top opposition.
“Whenever in practice, we go against the guys and they are basically hitting us in the face,” Rivas said. “That helps us with the bigger outside hitters on other teams.”
