CHAMPAIGN, IL — Maryland fell to Illinois 3-1 (17-25, 25-18, 15-25, 23-25) in its first match of Big Ten play.
After dropping the first set, the Terps came out strong in the second frame, particularly on the defensive end. Maryland held the Illini to a .057 hitting percentage and also notched five blocks. Sam Csire had four kills in the set.
Illinois took the third set, but the Terps battled hard in a back-and-forth fourth frame that featured a 5-0 Maryland run. Ultimately, the Illini pulled away late to win the set and the match.
Csire led the Terps with 15 kills and Rainelle Jones recorded eight blocks. Maryland finished with 12 blocks as a team and continued its streak of out-blocking every opponent this season. The Terps have now recorded double-digit blocks in 11 of 14 games.
Maryland is now 9-4 overall and 0-1 in the Big Ten while the Illini stand at 6-5, 1-0.
Up Next
- The Terps have their Big Ten home opener on Sunday when they host Indiana at 1 pm at the XFINITY Pavilion. The match will air on Big Ten Plus.
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