COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The Maryland volleyball team (15-11, 6-8 Big Ten) was topped by No. 4 Illinois in three sets (18-25, 9-25, 14-25) on Sunday.

"Illinois is a team that is in the hunt for the final four and if you don't have a good performance against someone that's that good, things can slide fast," said head coach Adam Hughes. "Obviously disappointed but we don't have a lot of time to dwell on it as we have a big match coming up on Wednesday. It's time to move forward."

The Illini held Maryland to just 27 kills on an .071 hitting percentage. Illinois out-blocked Maryland 11-4 and hit .468 while notching 45 kills on their end.

Sophomore outside hitter Erika Pritchard put forth nine kills while senior outside hitter Liz Twilley led the Terps with three blocks. 

Maryland hung in the first set, hitting a match high .222 led by three kills apiece from freshman outside hitter Emma Schriner and redshirt freshman middle blocker Katie Myers who was perfect on three swings. Sophomore setter Nicole Alford assisted on 12 of Maryland's 13 kills while notching a kill, dig and block as well. The Illini used a 7-3 run in the middle of the set to go up 20-13 and took it from there. 

The second and third sets were won by Illinois 25-9 and 25-14.

After finishing this homestand 2-1 with wins over Iowa and Northwestern, the Terps will hit the road for two matches this week, beginning with #14 Michigan on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.