Maryland volleyball sought to win back-to-back road conference matches for the first time. That chance came against Michigan, losers of seven straight.
But the Wolverines dominated the Terps in three sets at Cliff Keen Arena on Thursday to snap their losing streak. The loss kept Maryland at just one road win in Big Ten play this season.
The Terps (13-15, 4-13 Big Ten) could not find ways to slow down Michigan’s offense.
The Wolverines, who entered third in the conference in kills, dominated with 20 more in that category. Their dynamic trio — Valentina Vaulet, Boney Jacque and Amalia Simmons — ended rallies quickly.
“We weren’t able to find a defensive stop… we could not find any sort of offense, we couldn’t find rhythm in any area,” coach Adam Hughes said. “We wanted to be really good out-of-system, and we were not good in that area.”
Maryland and Michigan (17-11, 7-10 Big Ten) entered first and fourth in the Big Ten in aces. The battle was pretty even, with the Wolverines recording one more ace but also four more errors. Vaulet, who entered second in the conference only to Samantha Schnitta in aces, crushed three to lead all players.
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Maryland had three attacking errors within the first 10 points as its offense looked sluggish. Outside hitter Sam Csire helped turn things around with multiple kills to lead a 6-0 run and even the score midway through the set. The fifth-year finished with nine kills.
The Wolverines’ hitters were relentless.
They consistently wore out Terps defenders and found ways to win points with tightly-angled shots. Maryland dug well in the first set, but it wasn’t enough as Michigan took it 25-21 with five more kills than the Terps — the biggest difference in a tight opener.
“I thought we were pursuing balls really well,” Hughes said. “We were making some plays, but the quality of those touches, if they were better, would make everything a little bit more efficient.”
Eva Rohrbach helped the Terps race out to a quick lead in the second with two aces. Michigan’s only consistent method of ending points early on was through its hitters crushing shots.
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But the Wolverines’ back row put together a span featuring a few blocks, helping them take the lead in the middle of the set. The Terps’ hitters looked lethargic as the deficit grew, with only Csire consistently hitting well. Michigan took the second set, 25-17, on Kendyl Reaugh’s fifth kill.
Maryland’s offensive leader struggled immensely.
Schnitta — who entered leading the Terps in kills and the entire conference in aces — recorded just six and two. The pin hitter had more errors than kills for the time since Aug. 20.
“She got off to a little bit of a shaky start and they put as much attention to her as possible,” Hughes said. “That’s when other people have to step up and kind of take some of the pressure off of her … we weren’t able to find that answer.”
A huge part of the Terps’ offensive struggles stemmed from their poor defense. Maryland’s back row struggled to anticipate the location of shots and gave its own offense little chance.
Just as the Terps took a two-point edge midway through the third, Michigan recorded four straight kills to take the lead right back. It won the set, 25-21, as Reaugh crushed a kill down the left sideline. Maryland’s massive road struggles continued against an opponent that entered reeling.
