Through two Big Ten road matches, Maryland volleyball had yet to win a set. But Saturday against Rutgers, the Terps reversed the trend in commanding fashion, sweeping the Scarlet Knights.
The Terps had an 18-11 lead in the first set before Rutgers stormed back, culminating the comeback with a 6-0 run to tie the set at 22. Rutgers got to set point twice, but Maryland managed to stay alive and take the set 27-25, ending the frame with a service ace by libero Allegra Rivas.
Scarlet Knights outside hitter Sahbria Mcletchie came out of the gate on fire, recording eight kills and a .467 hitting percentage in the first set.
After falling behind 12-9 in the second set, Maryland took over with nine consecutive points, running away from the Knights and taking the frame 25-15.
The Terps’ defense heated up in the second set, holding Rutgers to seven kills and a .000 hitting percentage while recording 5 blocks, including a stretch of three consecutive blocks.
Maryland took control of the third frame immediately, jumping out to a 10-3 lead. The Scarlet Knights never got closer than six points as the Terps cruised to a 25-14 set victory to close out the sweep.
The Terps almost exactly replicated their second-set defense in the third frame, once again keeping the Knights to a .000 hitting percentage and recording five more blocks.
The Terps shut down Mcletchie after the first set, holding her to just two kills the rest of the way.
Middle blocker Rainelle Jones continued to be a defensive force, recording seven blocks, while Maryland notched 11 total.
After recording a season-low four kills and a .000 hitting percentage Friday against Penn State, outside hitter Erika Pritchard bounced back in a big way, hitting .314 with 16 kills.
Outside hitter Emma Schriner, making her sixth straight start in place of the injured Jada Gardner, continued to make an impact for the Terps, with a .583 hitting percentage, eight kills and four blocks.
