COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Maryland fell 3-1 to 2021 NCAA Tournament Team FGCU in front of over 1,000 fans in the final game of the Maryland Invite. 

The Terps went down 7-1 early in the first set but battled back with a 7-1 run of their own to knot the set at eight apiece. The next few points went back-and-forth before FGCU pulled ahead for good, winning 25-16. Rainelle Jones and Sydney Dowler both recorded three block assists in the set. 

Spurred by multiple kills by both Sam Csire and freshman Laila Ivey, Maryland jumped to a 10-6 lead in the second set. The Eagles drew even at 12 and the rest of the match was tight, with FGCU ultimately coming out on top 25-23. 

The third set was complete Maryland dominance behind an energetic home crowd. Ivey recorded three early kills to propel the Terps to a 12-6 lead and they never looked back after that, winning 25-14. Ivey finished the set with five kills, half of her total number for the game. 

FGCU took the final set 25-14. 

The Terps finished their opening weekend of the season 2-1. 

Coach Adam Hughes' Take

"We're obviously disappointed with the loss, but definitely not disappointed in the effort or the relentlessness of this group. I thought they showed a lot of heart, a lot of compete. I think they're pretty hungry to get back to work knowing that they can play at that kind of level."

No Freshman Adjustment Period Here

• Ivey finished her first weekend of college volleyball with an impressive three-game line of 28 kills and 7 blocks. 

Up Next 

• The Terps travel to New York for the Stony Brook Invitational. Maryland will face Georgetown and Stony Brook on Friday at 12:30 pm and 6:30 pm before battling USF on Saturday at 10:30 am. All games will take place at Stony Brook.