Friday’s match against Seminoles begins Maryland Madness festivities.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The University of Maryland volleyball team plays host to 17th-ranked Florida State and Miami Friday and Sunday, respectively, with Friday’s match against the Seminoles to be played on the main Comcast Center floor as the opening act of the University’s Maryland Madness basketball tip-off celebration.
The Terrapins are 10-10 and 2-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Maryland is led by senior Katie Usher, who is hitting .345 on the season and averaging nearly a block per set. Usher ranks ninth in the ACC in hitting and owns the fifth-best single-season hitting percentage in school history, as of now. Led by Usher and sophomore Lisa Scott’s 1.12 blocks per set, the Terps rank in the top half of the conference in blocking and opponent’s hitting percentage.
Freshman Sam Rosario has given the Terps the top serving attack in the ACC. Rosario leads the conference with 37 service aces, by far the most by any ACC player, and Maryland leads the league with 114 aces.
No. 17 Florida State is in a three-way tie for first place in the ACC at 6-1 and 15-2 overall. The Seminoles, who owns impressive victories against the likes of Illinois, Middle Tennessee State and Notre Dame, lead the ACC in hitting percentage (.300) and kills (13.88 per set). Brianna Barry leads the Noles and the conference in hitting at .517 and Jordana Price is second in the ACC in blocking.
The Terrapins lead the all-time series against the Seminoles, 19-15, though Florida State has taken the last three matchups.
The Miami Hurricanes enter the weekend at 10-7 and 3-4 in the ACC. Miami is led by sophomore Lane Carico, the conference leader in kills at 4.31 per set. Lici McGee and Ali Becker comprise a strong blocking duo, ranking seventh and eighth in the league, respectively.
Maryland owns a 7-4 edge all-time against Miami, which is coached by Maryland graduate Nicole Lantagne Welch, the school’s all-time leader in digs.
Friday’s match against Florida State will be streamed live at umterps.com.
Following Friday’s volleyball match, Maryland Madness will feature a new 3-point shooting contest involving current team members, and performances by the Maryland Spirit Squad, Dance Team, Band and Gymkana. Head basketball coaches Gary Williams and Brenda Frese will discuss their 2009-10 teams and both squads will take the court for brief intra-squad workouts.
Tickets are free and are required for the volleyball match and the entire Maryland Madness event. Tickets can be acquired at the door the day of the event and can also be ordered in advance from the Terrapin Ticket Office by calling 1-800-IM-A-TERP. Free parking will be available in the lots surrounding Comcast Center and in Terrapin Trail Garage.
Fans are encouraged to bring canned food and other non-perishable items as a donation to the Capital Area Food Bank. Drop locations will be situated inside the Comcast Center entrances, staffed by the Maryland Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
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