Three takeaways from Maryland volleyball’s Red-White scrimmage

After Zoe Huang’s serve careened in opposition to the Xfinity Heart Pavilion hardwood for a match-opening ace, the sophomore setter celebrated along with her teammates because the Maryland trustworthy showered her with applause. 

Huang’s ace was the catalyst of a match rife with charming rallies by newcomers and returning starters alike as Maryland volleyball gave followers their first take a look at this system’s new squad within the 2022 Crimson-White scrimmage.

Coach Adam Hughes persistently swapped gamers from team-to-team, giving followers a take a look at which lineups produce Maryland’s most formidable lineup as the 2 groups performed to a 2-2 tie throughout 4 units on the Pavilion on Saturday evening. 

“We host our first weekend, which is a pleasant benefit for us, so we’re simply attempting to get used to it and get some really feel for what [the regular season] goes to be,” Hughes stated. 

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Returning faces Sam Csire, Milan Gomillion and Sydney Dowler regarded primed to construct on their 2021 seasons, whereas younger underclassmen Laila Ivey and Ellie Watson flashed their potential as potential key contributors in 2022. 

The squad’s exhibiting at this yr’s scrimmage leaves three key takeaways:

Laila Ivey provides the Terps one other offensive weapon

Laila Ivey launched herself to the Maryland trustworthy with a stunning offensive show, showcasing her sky-high vertical leap early and infrequently. 

The true-freshman made her mark within the opening body for the white crew, connecting on 4 kills to guide all gamers within the set and completed with a match-high 12 kills throughout the 4 units.

“Fairly nervous at first, [being] my first time taking part in in ‘The Pav’,” Ivey stated, “however I believe my teammates actually calmed me down. After the primary fifteen factors I began to settle down and simply play my sport.” 

Ivey routinely displayed her versatility when attacking, as she carved by the protection with an array of punishing putaways offset by well-placed, softer kills. The skin hitter was not solely a drive from the skin, however from the service line as effectively, pouring in a trio of aces within the first set. 

“I believe she’s somebody who may have a very vibrant future right here,” stated Hughes. “She’s acquired an amazing, aggressive nature to her, she needs to be elite, and we’re excited that she’s simply getting began.” 

In want of a substitute for outdoor hitter Paula Neciporuka, Maryland may see Ivey emerge as a catalyst to the offense in 2022 and past.

Returning starters anchored the Terps on the night

Whereas returning standouts like Rainelle Jones and Sam Csire every displayed their dominance all through the competition, it was sophomore center blocker Ellie Waston who caught Hughes’ eye along with her play all through the evening. 

“She’s change into very versatile,” Hughes stated. “I believe that’s actually helped us as a program…she’s making it difficult for us day by day at apply, and we’ve acquired a pleasant little competitors there.” 

After taking part in in solely 4 units final season, Watson shined in her position paying for either side Saturday evening. She contributed a solo block and a pair of block assists, in addition to a handful of putaways and digs. 

Considered one of Watson’s most notable performs got here for the white crew within the closing set when she stonewalled an Anastasia Russ assault with a block that put her squad forward, 9-6.

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Csire made her presence felt with a barrage of assaults from the left aspect. The junior exterior hitter got here out firing with a flurry of first-set putaways for the white crew and continued to slice by the protection with three fast kills early within the fourth set that helped the white crew to an 18-16 victory. 

Jones, the reigning nationwide chief in blocks per set, was primarily an offensive drive — she contributed just one block help on the evening. She wasted no time inflicting injury on the opposing aspect’s block, sending a kill over the online early within the first set for the pink crew to ignite her robust exhibiting.

The Terps are nonetheless discovering their groove forward of the season opener

Whereas the spectacular showings from gamers like Ivey and Watson had been encouraging, Hughes famous his crew has but to peak because the season looms.

“I don’t assume they had been very clear tonight, however that is our third match in about 36 hours,” he stated. “One of many issues we’ve got with our non-conference schedule is that we play three matches in two days, so we’re attempting to imitate that a little bit bit.” 

The 2 groups dedicated 47 errors and completed with a hitting proportion effectively beneath .200, however every confirmed hustle all through the night.

Sophomore libero Milan Gomillion routinely sprawled on the hardwood, preserving rallies alive with a bevy of digs for the white crew, whereas freshman Ally Williams stood tall within the face of Ivey and Csire assaults within the third set that in the end led to a pair of factors for the pink crew. 

Hughes counseled his crew’s efforts regardless of the miscues, emphasizing their grit and toughness all through the competition.

“I do know it wasn’t the cleanest product, however on the similar time I believed they performed actually arduous from the entrance finish to the again finish.”