By Anika Stikeleather
Coming off three straight losses, Maryland volleyball aims to defend home court in the final game of its four-game homestand.
Rutgers’ visit to College Park will be Maryland’s third
game in the inaugural Big Ten Discover In-Season Volleyball Challenge. Maryland remains winless in the contest after losing to Rutgers earlier this month and Illinois late last week.
First serve will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the XFINITY Center Pavilion and will air on Big Ten Network.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-8, 1-5 Big Ten)
2024 record: 6–25, 1–19 Big Ten
Head coach Caitlin Schweihofer began her first season with the program in 2021. Since then, Schweihofer’s Scarlet Knights have failed to seriously compete in the Big Ten conference.
Last year, Rutgers won one game against Big Ten opponents and six contests overall.
The year has seen better results, as it maintains a winning record entering the fourth week of conference play. If the Scarlet Knights sweep the season series against Maryland on Wednesday, Schweihofer would tie her record for conference wins at Rutgers with two.
Players to watch
Aspen Maxwell, sophomore outside hitter, No. 1 – Maxwell has continued her breakout season and established herself as one of the elite offensive talents in the conference. She ranks fourth in total kills — the only underclassman in the top 10 in that category — and sixth in kills per set at 4.02.
Lexi Visintine, senior outside hitter and defensive specialist, No. 8 – Visintine is a weapon from the service line, ranking second in the Big Ten in aces with 29 through 61 sets. A strong all-around player, she provides the Scarlet Knights with consistency. She led the team in points in their last game.
Strength
Offensive balance and defensive playmakers. A large contributor to Rutgers’ success this season has been its balanced attack. Three of its starting hitters are swinging above .250. On the other side of the ball, Rutgers can make big plays. Rutgers middle blocker Zora Hardison leads all players in solo blocks with 22, nine more than the second-highest player.
Weakness
Overall team defense. Rutgers has struggled defensively against the stronger offenses in the Big Ten. They allow the fourth-highest opponent hitting percentage and rank towards the bottom of the conference in team metrics like digs per set and total blocks against Big Ten opponents.
Three things to watch
1. More contributors. Ajack Malual’s dominant senior season has been one of the only bright spots for Maryland’s offense this year. After a difficult outing against Illinois, it ranks last in the conference in hitting percentage and assists per set. The Terps will continue to look for another consistent offensive producer.
2. Maryland’s recent history against the Scarlet Knights. It’s been five years since Maryland lost both in-season matches against Rutgers. Since 1987, Maryland has dominated the matchup at 19–4, but faces a team looking to turn that page.
3. Middle matchup. Maryland’s net defense continues to be a bright spot this season, leading the Big Ten in total blocks. Maryland’s Duru Gökçen and Eva Rohrbach will face a tough assignment against Hardison and Natalie Robinson. Hardison remains the conference leader in solo blocks, and Robinson set a program record in blocks by a freshman last season.
