Aug. 29, 2003

Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Junior outside hitter Maria DiLivio (Hamilton, Ontario) posted a game-high 16 kills and a career-high 24 digs, but the University of Maryland women's volleyball team fell to the University of Tennessee in its first match at the Maryland Invitational, 30-28, 15-30, 30-25, 30-17, at home in Comcast Center Gymnasium Friday night.

Senior right side hitter Lynnsy Jones (Castro Valley, Calif.) also had a good showing in the season-opener for the Terps, tallying 15 kills and 16 digs. Junior setter Aimee Huddleston (Keller, Texas) dished out 53 assists and recorded six digs in defeat for the Terrapins.

Tennessee edged the Terps in a tightly contested first game, 30-28, behind the efforts of setter Julie Knytych. The sophomore finished with a team-high 47 assists and posted six kills for the Lady Vols.

Maryland fought back to win 30-15 in the second game, with DiLivio and Jones leading the way with six and seven digs, respectively. Tennessee would regroup, however, and win the next two games to clinch the match in four games.

Sophomores Rachel Wagener (Chesapeake, Va.) and Stephanie Smith (Bethesda, Md.) built a solid block for the Terrapins, posting five and four blocks, respectively. Wagener also notched 13 kills, good for a team-high .423 attack percentage.

Tennessee was led on attack by freshman Sarah Blum, who had 14 kills on the night.

In earlier action, Michigan State beat Villanova in three games, 30-14, 30-27, 30-25. Michigan State was led by senior Jenny Rood, who posted 13 kills for the Spartans. Villanova freshman Adrian Semrau had nine blocks for the Wildcats.

Maryland will look to earn its first victory of the season tomorrow when the Maryland Invitational continues. The Terps host Villanova at 11 a.m. and No. 25 Michigan State at 7 p.m. Saturday's schedule also features Michigan St. vs. Tennessee at 1 p.m. and Villanova vs. Tennessee at 5 p.m.

All tournament matches take place in Comcast Center Gymnasium; admission is free.