CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Playing its third ranked opponent in as many matches, the Maryland volleyball team fell to No. 16 Illinois, 13-25, 21-25, 17-25, in the Terps' Big Ten debut Friday.
“Illinois is a very good volleyball team, and it's a very difficult place to play because the fans are in it for the whole match,” said head coach Steve Aird.
The Terps (7-5, 0-1 Big Ten) scored first off an Illini attack error for Maryland's first-ever conference point as a member of the Big Ten in front of 2,602 spectators at Huff Hall. Illinois (9-3, 1-0 Big Ten) scored the next six to take a five-point lead. The Illini continued its attack, quickly closing out the set, 25-13.
“I think we made some uncharacteristic errors, but Illinois is so good and was able to capitalize on our mistakes,” said Aird.
Maryland began pushing back at the Illini in the second half of the second set, scoring 13 of 20 points to cut Illinois from an 18-8 lead to a 24-21 lead. The Terps were able to build momentum off Illini errors, and middle blockers Hailey Murray and Ashlyn MacGregor caused trouble for Illinois in front of the net as the duo made a few crucial kills and blocks for Maryland.
The Terps were able to score twice with the Illini on the verge of the set point, but Illinois subbed in Morganne Criswell, who tallied the next kill for the 25-21 set win.
Maryland mirrored its final set performance against No. 9 USC last week as the Terps kept up with the Illini to begin the third. After Illinois took a 7-4 lead, Maryland was able to climb back with a Murray kill and a pair of Illini attack errors. The Terps stuck just behind the Illini before the hosts used the home court advantage to pull away with a 20-11 lead.
Despite the deficit, the Terps refused to give up, tallying four straight points off kills by Crutcher, Murray and outside hitter Emily Fraik and an Illini attack error. Illinois tallied five of the next seven points to take the set and the match.
“We have a lot of young players, and we are going to go through some bumps as we play these elite opponents and learn the conference," said Aird. "We're happy to have the experience because the team is learning with each match we play.”
Crutcher finished the match with eight kills while Murray had six. Junior libero Amy Dion, playing in front of her hometown crowd, made 10 digs to lead the Terps while sophomore setter Carlotta Oggioni had 11 assists.
Illinois' Jocelynn Birks (15K, 10D) and Alexis Viliunas (14A, 10D) led the match with double-doubles.
The Terps travel to Evanston, Ill., to take on Northwestern (11-1, 1-0 Big Ten) Saturday at 8 p.m.
