CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of Maryland volleyball team fell in four sets to Illinois in the first match of a two-match series on Friday night in Huff Hall. Maryland's block continued to be a defensive force, tallying 14.5 team blocks, but ultimately falling to the Illini to snap a three-match winning streak.

What You Should Know

• Maryland took the first set from the Fighting Illini, 25-22. It was the Terps' fifth-consecutive set win, coming off a 3-1 and 3-0 win over Iowa a week ago.
• Senior outside hitter Erika Pritchard led the squad in kills with 10. Pritchard was just one dig short of her fifth double-double of the season.
• Redshirt junior Jada Gardner also had an impressive night offensively, tallying eight kills, while also contributing four blocks.
• Sophomore middle blocker Cara Lewis paced the team in blocks with nine. Freshman middle blocker Laila Ricks added eight, while Rainelle Jones notched five.
• Senior libero Sam Burgio was phenomenal in the pass game, recording 21 digs and a pair of assists. Burgio also tallied two service aces.
• Setters Sydney Dowler and Nicole Alford tallied 14 assists each, while Dowler also recorded six digs and Alford added five digs and one ace.
• Maryland got strong efforts from its entire freshman class - Dowler, Ricks, and Sam Csire. Csire notched five kills and five digs on the evening.

Up Next

• Maryland matches up with the Fighting Illini for the second match of a two-match series Saturday in Champaign. First serve is slated for 6:00 p.m. EDT in Huff Hall. The match will be streamed live on Big Ten Network Plus.