The Terps look for their first set win in four games.
For the first time since 2019, Maryland volleyball (10-9) has gone four consecutive matches without a set victory. The last time the Terps won a set was on Oct. 5, when they defeated Rutgers in straight sets at home.
After going 9-2 in nonconference play, Maryland’s struggles in Big Ten play have once again continued. The Terps have just one conference win over their first eight matches, their worst start in Big Ten play since 2020.
Now, Maryland heads on the road for its first Big Ten West Coast trip. The Terps face No. 11 Oregon on Friday at 9 p.m., before taking on Washington at 10 p.m. on Saturday.
Both matches will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.
No. 11 Oregon Ducks (14-3, 6-2 Big Ten)
Life in the Big Ten hasn’t affected the newly-added Ducks led by eighth-year head coach Matt Ulmer, as they rank fifth in the conference. He has guided Oregon to six NCAA Tournament appearances during his first seven seasons. Last year, the Ducks finished with a program-high 29 wins, falling in the regional finals.
Ulmer has helped position the Ducks to earn another postseason berth in the 2024 campaign. Oregon has beaten two ranked teams — No. 21 BYU and No. 16 USC — while falling to three teams in the top 25 of the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll. Those losses were against No. 1 Pittsburgh, No. 3 Penn State and No. 8 Wisconsin.
Players to know
Mimi Colyer, junior outside hitter, No. 15 — After just missing out on an AVCA All-American honor last season, Colyer has risen to new levels in 2024. She was one of four Oregon players to appear in every set in 2023. This season, Colyer ranks eighth in the Big Ten in kills per set at 3.9 and has 230 total kills. She earned an AVCA Player of the Week earlier this season.
Cristin Cline, redshirt freshman setter, No. 8 — In her first season with the Ducks, Cline has made a name for herself in a conference loaded with talented setters. The 5-foot-11 freshman leads the team with 607 assists. Cline’s 10.5 assists per set rank fifth in the Big Ten and 24th in the nation. She was recently named Big Ten Freshman of the Week.
Washington Huskies (14-4, 4-4 Big Ten)
In her second season at the helm, head coach Leslie Gabriel has kept the Huskies as a national powerhouse. Gabriel has been around the Washington program for almost three decades, including 22 years as an assistant coach. While serving as an assistant, she helped lead the Huskies to 14 top-10 finishes in the country. Gabriel was also the 2020 National Assistant Coach of the Year.
Washington missed the NCAA Tournament last season for the first time since 2001. But the Huskies look poised to return back, just missing the recent AVCA poll by 10 points. After starting the season 13-0, Washington has lost four of its last five matches. Two of these losses come against ranked teams: No. 8 Wisconsin and Oregon.
Players to know
Julia Hunt, freshman middle blocker, No. 2 — As Prep Volleyball’s No. 23-ranked player in the class of 2024, Hunt has certainly lived up to the hype. The 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year in Kentucky is one of the top blockers in the Big Ten. Hunt is 36th in the nation with 1.3 blocks per set, earning her a Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor.
Lauren Bays, senior libero, No. 20 — After leading the team with 378 digs last season, Bays has been just as good in 2024. Over her four seasons with the Huskies, she has been a stable defensive presence, ranking top 10 in career digs in program history. This season, Bays has tallied 228 digs, which is 11th in the Big Ten.
Three things to watch
1. First match against Oregon. Maryland has yet to face the Ducks in its four decades of existence. Oregon recently moved to the Big Ten, meaning that this will be the first of many future matchups between these foes.
“Oregon plays fast and they’re very dynamic,” head coach Adam Hughes said. “We know that the speed is going to be a bit of a challenge. They do some things that USC was doing in terms of triple blocking. There are moments where we’ve seen pieces of how they try to play, but it will be a challenge.”
2. Sydney Dowler moves into the top-three in assists all-time. Earlier this season, Dowler moved up to fourth in career assists in program history. She is currently at 3,599 assists, just 27 away from moving up to third. Dowler will be looking to rack up that difference over these two matches.
3. Four-match losing streak. The Terps have fallen in four consecutive matches, all of them in straight sets. While three matches were against ranked teams, there are no easy opponents in the Big Ten, the toughest volleyball conference in the nation. Maryland is also 0-4 all-time against Washington.