Despite holding a 2-0 set lead over Seton Hall, Maryland volleyball was in a tightly contested match. The Terps were consistently trailing but rallied in the late stretches of each set to earn narrow victories.
The third set was no different. It was one last 4-0 run that secured the Terps’ their seventh win in eight games. Maryland (7-3) will enter the Big Ten schedule on a high note after once again proving its mettle against tough opposition.
Maryland’s win in straight sets against Seton Hall on Friday night at the Pavillon was the Terps’ third of the season. But this sweep was played under much different circumstances than Maryland’s two previous 3-0 wins against Delaware State and Old Dominion.
The Pirates established an early advantage, opening up an 8-3 lead in the first set and forcing Coach Adam Hughes to call timeout.
But similarly to the rest of the night, the Terps quickly regrouped, storming back to take a 19-17 lead and forcing the Pirates to take a timeout themselves. Ajack Malual – who’s been one of Maryland’s top players in the non-conference – recorded four kills in the first set.
Her final kill handed the Terps the match point and an ensuing attack error gave them the 25-22 win. Junior Eva Rohrbach also made a big impact, supplying four kills and three consecutive points for Maryland late in the set.
The set victory was the first of three set wins that ended in a three point margin or less.
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Despite the sweep, the contest was close throughout. Seton Hall (5-4) entered as winners of three of its past four contests. The Pirates took early advantages in two of the three sets and at points looked like the stronger team.
It took a 10-6 lead in the second set, but once again Maryland reestablished control.
Redshirt sophomore Olivia Ruy was a major factor in the surge, delivering four kills to give the Terps an 18-17 lead.
Seton Hall quickly used their two timeouts as the Terps increased the lead to 22-19. Rohrbach delivered again with two consecutive kills and helped close the set for a 25-22 win.
The junior middle blocker logged eight kills, three digs and three blocks through two sets. Her effort has been a catalyst for Maryland’s recent success and she played her best game of the season Friday.
“I think the one thing we always know about Eva is that when we need a play, she’s ready to go make it. And I thought she did have a couple times there in game three when we absolutely needed it.” Hughes said.
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The Terps entered the third set with a chance to end their non-conference slate with a straight-sets win. But both teams played to a stalemate early in the third.
The Pirates fought to take a 21-19 lead late in the set. Hughes called timeout to try and stall the momentum, a common theme throughout the season late in sets.
His team was up to the task Friday night, As they had done all night, Maryland came back late in the set. After two straight points from redshirt freshman Lily Wagner leveled the set, Malual scored her tenth and eleventh kills to hand the Terps the win.
The comeback win and sweep are both encouraging signs for a Maryland team that’s struggled at points to put opponents away. As Big Ten play nears, the Terps will have to show they can continue to battle against stronger competition.
