Maryland volleyball will return home to host Seton Hall in the Maryland Challenge at XFINITY Center Pavilion Friday.
The Terps are looking to build momentum after a tight five-set win over Coppin State on Tuesday. That victory helped Maryland shake off a loss to Wake Forest that snapped its five-match winning streak.
This game offers the Terps one final tune-up before Big Ten play begins Sept. 25 against Iowa.
Friday’s first serve is set for 6:30 p.m. and will stream on Big Ten Plus.
Seton Hall Pirates (5–4, 0-0 Big East)
2024 record: 12–17,
6–12 Big East
Head coach Shannon Thompson was hired in 2022 to rebuild the Seton Hall program. In her first season, the Pirates earned 15 victories after being picked 11th in the Big East preseason poll. The following year, Seton Hall took a clear step forward. They finished 14–15 overall and 8–10 in league play, their best conference record in nearly a decade.
Last fall, however, Seton Hall slipped back to 12–17 overall with a 6–12 Big East mark. They’ll look to return to their 2023 form this season.
This year, the Pirates are off to a 5–4 start. They are coming off a five-set win at Harvard and have shown steady improvement on both sides of the ball. Their defense continues to be the backbone of the program, while the offense has flashed potential with a healthier lineup.
Players to watch
Rylee Nelson, junior libero/defensive specialist, No. 11 — Nelson is the anchor of Seton Hall’s defense, ranking seventh in the Big East with 3.89 digs per set. She already has 74 digs this season, including a season high 22-dig performance against Harvard on Sept. 14.
Gwen Adler, sophomore setter, No. 15 — Adler’s 2023 season was cut short by injury, but she still averaged 4.29 assists and 1.88 digs per set in 10 matches. She was named to the Florida Atlantic Invitational All-Tournament Team and posted a double-double against LIU with 16 digs and 14 assists. A healthy Adler gives Seton Hall more offensive rhythm.
Strength
Defense. Nelson and the Pirates’ back row keep rallies alive and force opponents into errors. Even during an up-and-down year last season, Seton Hall ranked fifth in the Big East in both opponent hitting percentage and digs, showing how steady its defense remained.
Weakness
Offense. Seton Hall has struggled to find consistent scoring threats, especially after their 2023 peak. Last fall, uneven hitting and slow starts were issues that often put them in early holes. If its attack can’t keep up with Maryland’s size at the net, Seton Hall could face the same challenges in College Park.
Three things to watch
1. Maryland inconsistent on offense. The Terps needed five sets to get past Coppin State, despite Malual and Gokcen combining for big kill numbers. Wagner’s setting has kept the attack steady, but Maryland will need sharper execution to prepare for Big Ten competition.
2. Ajack Malual on a hot streak. Maryland volleyball reported the senior right side hitter’s performance against Wake Forest made her the first Terp since 2019 with 20-plus kills while also hitting over .400 in a match.
3. Nonconference finale. This weekend marks Maryland’s last nonconference matchup before facing Iowa on Sept. 25. With national powerhouses Nebraska, Penn State and Wisconsin coming in due time, the Terps will want to clean up errors and build momentum at home.
