By Anika Stikeleather

Maryland volleyball lost a back-and-forth matchup against Illinois on Friday night, falling in four sets on Dig Pink Night, promoting breast cancer awareness. 

Maryland kept it close despite an overall poor offensive performance, especially on the left pin. Sydney Bryant was the only outside hitter to record a positive hitting percentage, swinging .029 on the match with 11 kills and 10 errors. 

In set one, Maryland’s success in the margins and on the block was enough to offset the offensive woes. Maryland showed resilience in set one, winning 26-24 despite 11 ties. 

“We did a really good job from the end line,” head coach Adam Hughes said after the game. 

However, those strengths plateaued after the first game. Despite nine blocks in the first set, Hughes’ defense would record only six more the rest of the match. Meanwhile, the Fighting Illini found success that would serve them throughout the night. 

Auburn Tomkinson, Illinois’ opposite hitter, had a monster performance in the game, setting career-highs in kills and blocks, with 17 and six, respectively. Tomkinson would finish the game hitting .394. 

Set two proved to be another competitive contest once again. Bryant and middle blocker Eva Rohrbach combined for eight kills to push the Terps to a late 20-15 lead before struggling to close the game. 

Both sides traded a pair of points. The lead remained at five late in the second set before an 8-1 Illinois run sealed the game. The run included five attacking errors by Maryland hitters. 

Set two ended 25-23, Illinois. 

In set three, Maryland’s offensive playmaking ability was lacking, despite recording their lowest number of errors all night and equalling Illinois’ number in the period. 

Redshirt freshman setter Lilly Wagner struggled to lead a balanced offensive attack, which led to nine fewer attempts by the Terps in the period. 

Meanwhile, on the other side of the net, Illinois’ seasoned setter Kenna Phelan’s offensive variability picked up en route to a strong 42-assist night. Three Illini hitters had four or more kills as the team hit .324 in the match, their match high. 

Maryland lost the third set 25-18. 

In set four, Wagner was able to rebound despite ultimately losing. 

A strong connection between her and opposite hitter Ajack Malual powered the team’s performance in a close final set. In which the veteran opposite carried the primary load, erupting for 10 of her 19 kills in set four. 

Ultimately, four missed serves and kills up and down the Illini lineup proved too much for a worn-down Maryland team struggling to find offense outside the right pin to overcome. 

Featured Image: A man in a Maryland suit rubbing Testudo’s nose as fans enter Xfinity Center on Oct. 5. Photo by Anika Stikeleather