Crutcher's spiking debut for volleyball

The Terrapins volleyball team — and junior Remy McBain and freshman Ashleigh Crutcher, in particular — has one goal in mind this weekend: duplicate the last.

The squad's blossoming setter-spiker partnership will again drive the Terps (3-3) as they host the Arundel Mills Terrapin Invitational this weekend, welcoming Yale, Sacred Heart and Delaware to the same court where the Terps defeated VCU, Xavier and Quinnipiac last weekend in the Maryland Invitational. With McBain and Crutcher thriving, the squad didn't give up a single set over the weekend, and Terps coach Tim Horsmon said he hopes similar success carries over starting tonight.

"We are really focusing on building off last weekend and gaining confidence," Horsmon said. "The upperclassmen stabilized us, but the freshmen are also stepping up and filling in valuable roles."

McBain, the squad's primary setter, ranks fifth in assists per set in the conference, and also has the seventh-highest total of assists in the history of the program (1,653). She has been a consistent force on the court since her freshman year and has amassed three double-doubles and a triple-double so far this season.

"Remy has come a really long way … time and again, she is able to be the best volleyball player on the floor," Horsmon said. "In volleyball, the center is like the quarterback; she has to be the leader. She makes great decisions, which is why she is a team captain. We're all excited for her being the center of the program."

McBain, though, might have company in that regard. Crutcher, an Under Armour All-American recruit, has done nothing but open the eyes of her opponents and the ACC to what she can be capable of. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall at the outside hitter position, she has already given Horsmon reasons to describe her as "unstoppable." In the Maryland Invitational, she recorded 33 kills, 29 digs and a .311 attack percentage.

"She has the potential to be one of the best freshmen that I have coached," Horsmon said. "She's a special player, both offensively and defensively, and Remy [McBain] has complete confidence in her."

"She's produced for us, and for a young player, she's pretty smart," McBain said of Crutcher, who was named the tournament's most valuable player. "When we get her in good situations, she really hits the ball hard. She's an all-around competitor, and I've got no problems with setting the ball to her."

Crutcher modestly accepts the compliments, and despite her young age, understands the importance of a team effort to translate into victory.

"It's been a great experience for me already," Crutcher said. "It just feels good to know that someone believes in you and your abilities on the court. But I know without the rest of the team, I wouldn't have a big impact. Without a good set, I wouldn't have gotten that kill."

Crutcher, who hails from the volleyball hotbed of North Carolina, was first scouted by the Terps in the middle of her sophomore year at Cary Academy. After his coaching staff identified her as a talent, Horsmon managed to pluck her from the grasps of ACC powers North Carolina and Duke.

Now, Crutcher's hope is to take the Terps to that same level.

"Her potential was great," Horsmon said of Crutcher's production in high school, "but I just told her that she has already moved past those expectations in the matches."

munson@umdbk.com