Despite Rainelle Jones achieving a new Maryland record, Maryland volleyball drops match against Illinois, 3-0

The first set of the match served as one memorable one for graduate student Rainelle Jones.

Coming in two blocks shy of the program record, Jones registered her 650th career block in the first set, the new Maryland record. Jones passed Rachel Wagener to become the new program leader in total blocks.

Despite Jones’ monumental feat, the Terps couldn’t notch their first conference win of the season, falling to Illinois, 3-0.

Maryland volleyball faced off against Illinois in a rematch from its conference opener, when the Illini defeated the Terps, 3-1.

The Terps scored first in the first set, taking a 2-1 lead before the Illini went on a 4-0 run to go in front. Going on a run of their own, the Terps rallied back to take a two point lead, 7-6. Maryland continued its lead with a powerful kill from Jones, but a kill from the Illini followed by a Maryland attack error tied the game at nine.

Despite the close battle, the Illini led the set by two in the middle stages of the set. Illinois pushed its lead up to four after two back-to-back kills from junior Raina Terry and senior Kennedy Collins, forcing a Maryland time out. After the time out, Illinois extended its lead with a 4-0 run.

Illinois extended its lead all the way into the end of the set. On set point, a service error gave Illinois the set win, 25-15. 

The Terps were held to a .029 hitting percentage, compared to Illinois’ percentage of .313. 

Starting the second set off strong, the Terps led the Illini 5-3 due to multiple kills. The Illini picked up momentum and closed in on the Terps lead and eventually tied the set at seven, but a ruthless block by juniors Laila Ricks and Anatasia Russ helped put the Terps up one, 8-7.. 

Maryland continued its lead with powerful blocking, forcing an Illinois timeout. Despite the Terps’ lead, the Illini quickly closed in on the and eventually took the lead by going on a 9-1 run themselves. Several attack errors from Illinois helped Maryland rally and tie the set at 20. 

With the Illini up 23-20, the Terps tried to hold on to the set with a kill by freshman Laila Ivey and by a service ace from junior Sydney Dowler. However, Illinois held on to its lead until the end of the set, winning set two, 25-22. 

Looking for a comeback, the Terps took the lead early in the third set, 4-2. A few points later, the Illini cut the Terps’ lead down to three after a kill from freshman Brooke Mosher followed by a Maryland attack error. Maryland extended its lead again with a 4-0 run, in the middle stages of the set, forcing Illinois to call a timeout.

After the timeout, Illinois mirrored the Terps run, but a quick kill by sophomore Milan Gomillion cut the Illini’s run short, 15-11. Despite Maryland’s stop, Illinois quickly closed in on the Terps, only trailing by one, 16-15. The Illini tied the set at 18 after a kill and then took a one point lead due to a Maryland attack error. Illinois’ lead caused a Maryland timeout. 

With the Illini three points away from winning the third set, an attack error by Illinois put Maryland within one but another kill, this time by Illinois, brought the Illini’s lead up to two, 24-22, setting up match point. An Illinois kill was the sealer, winning the third set, 25-23, and the match, 3-0. 

The Terps finished the match with 29 kills, 26 assists, and outscored Illinois in aces (four) and blocks (19). Maryland was held to a .133 hitting percentage.

Maryland will look to rebound next time out against Rutgers.