COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of Maryland volleyball team (6-4) dropped its opening match of the Gamecock Invitational Friday night, falling to South Carolina in five sets. The Terps have now played in seven five-set matches this season, owning a 3-4 record in those matches.

Junior setter Nicole Alford returned to the lineup tonight after missing the first nine matches of the season with a foot injury. The Annapolis, Md. native contributed 28 assists and four digs on the night.

Katie Myers led the team and tallied a career-high 16 kills, while Erika Pritchard added 13 more. Pritchard also shined at the service line and tallied six aces against the Gamecocks.

Inside The Numbers

• Maryland played its third-consecutive five-set match (1-2 in that span)
• Tonight's match was Maryland's seventh five-set match of the season
• Despite opening up the tournament opener with a set win (25-21), Maryland dropped the next two (23-25, 25-27) before winning the fourth (25-21) and falling in the fifth (12-15)
• Maryland is now 2-1 on the season vs. Power Five opponents
• Katie Myers led the team and tallied a career-high 16 kills, while also pacing the team in blocks (6)
• Erika Pritchard tallied 13 kills and led the team with a season-high six aces, one short of her career-high
• In her first appearance back on the court this season, junior setter Nicole Alford made an immediate impact and notched 28 assists, tied for the most by a Maryland setter this season
• Maryland moves to 6-4 on the season while South Carolina improves to 6-4

Next Up

Maryland will play two more matches in Columbia on Saturday. At 11 a.m. Maryland will face off against Kennesaw State and at 6 p.m. the Terps will play Appalachian State.