1-5 record a sign of Terps' bigger issues

The Terrapin volleyball team wants to go after every ball in every minute of every game, playing as if each point could make or break its season.

Coach Tim Horsmon has said it. Players have said it. It can even be the difference between winning and losing, as the Terps (1-5) learned in a five-set loss to St. John's on Saturday.

But after two weeks of missed opportunities, apparently the message has not sunk in yet.

"I still don't think we've learned how to compete," Horsmon said. "I hope soon our players take some initiative and decide they want to play hard and be in the game for every point. When they do, maybe we'll turn this around."

The team has struggled to put forth a consistent level of effort for even one complete set.

When the team starts out well and grabs an early lead, they often lose focus and miss opportunities for easy plays.

St. John's fourth-set comeback Saturday was just the most recent example of the Terps allowing an opponent to crawl back into contention. Even down seven points, the Red Storm took advantage of the Terps' loss of focus and went on a 9-2 run to win with the key set 26-24.

The Terps know they must focus on "the little things that make the big plays," as setter Hayley Hanson put it.

Horsmon praised outside hitter Maggie Schmelzle as "the player who's really held it together for us." Schmelzle has found and exploited open spots on the court, and often stepped in this weekend to fill gaps in coverage, earning 24 kills and 37 digs.

"I worked to improve my overall game, because we want to prove we're a different team than last year," Schmelzle said.

Her teammates reflected the same attitude: They want to improve. The only question is how long it will take.

"I have no idea," Horsmon said. "I have not been able to get a pulse yet from the team. If they play hard, like they did against St. John's, good things could happen. If they don't, it could be like Missouri and Kentucky again. Flip a coin."

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