Maryland volleyball led 24-9 in the third set, looking to dominantly win its home opener. Ellie Watson provided the needed point, rocketing a service ace down the right sideline.
Watson’s shot sealed the victory for the Terps. They defeated Alabama A&M at home on Friday, sweeping the Bulldogs 3-0 in an excellent showing.
“The team loved that Ellie finished it with an ace,” coach Adam Hughes said. “She’s a big member, she brings so much joy to the team.”
The result was needed for Maryland (2-2), who bounced back after dropping its final two matches of the LSU Tournament.
Notably, Sydney Dowler did not start for the Terps. The setter led Maryland in assists in three consecutive seasons entering this campaign and entered the match with a team-high 69 assists on the year.
Coming off of a career-high 29 assist performance against New Hampshire, Zoe Huang started at setter. The senior continued her ascent, recording 18 assists in the win.
“I feel like she’s earned an opportunity here because of how well she’s hitting in her senior season,” Hughes said. “[Dowler] put the team first and said ‘Hey if this is what the team needs right now, I’m willing to do it.”’
[A pair of Maryland volleyball setters have been leaders early in the season]
Graduate student Anastasia Russ got the Terps off to a quick start with four kills and three blocks in the opening first set as they went up 9-6 quickly. Samantha Schnitta added three kills of her own.
Maryland out-killed Alabama A&M (2-4) 14-4 in a dominant first set. The Bulldogs had a hitting percentage of just -0.167, compared to the Terps’ .600 mark. Maryland ultimately took the first set comfortably, 25-12.
The Terps came out much more aggressive on Friday compared to their matches in the LSU Tournament to open the season. They looked rejuvenated with a different starting lineup, doubling Alabama A&M in kills, 39-19.
“I think we worked really hard in practice with serving and service, receiving and everything,” Samantha Schnitta said. “Being aggressive from the end line really helped us.”
Fatima Ramirez, the Bulldogs’ leader in kills, recorded just seven on 22 total attempts throughout the night. Bailey Duckett, second on the team in kills, had just eight on 35 tries for a hitting percentage of just -.029.
[Maryland volleyball’s late comeback falls short in five-set loss to New Hampshire]
The second set started out tied 7-7 as Alabama A&M momentarily found its stride. It recorded a block on one of those points won after failing to record a single one in the opening set.
But Maryland pulled away. It went on a 18-5 run to secure a second straight 25-12 set win. Schnitta was again near the forefront for the Terps with four kills in the set. Maryland out-blocked the Bulldogs 7-2 after two sets and was in full command.
Alabama A&M came out fighting in the third set — needing a successful string of points to extend the match — taking an early 4-3 lead in the set. But the Terps responded yet again.
Maryland’s offense started to find success, and a Schnitta kill that she drilled down the left sideline off a Huang pass extended the Terps’ lead to 14-7. Maryland held on easily to win the third set, 25-9, its first win of the season since the season-opener.
