Preview: Maryland volleyball prepares for conference home opener against Indiana

Following a 3-1 defeat its last time out against Illinois, Maryland volleyball (9-4) gets set for its conference home opener against Indiana (7-6).

Illinois took the first, third and fourth sets en route for the win. The loss was Maryland’s first in Big Ten play.

Illinois took the lead early in the first set and kept its lead throughout the set, extending its lead by 12 points, 20-8. The Terps got within seven, but their late push wasn’t enough, as Illinois won the first set, 25-17.

Looking for a comeback, the Terps started the second set off strong due to multiple kills and errors from Illinois. The Terps found themselves in a tight battle against the Illini towards the middle of the set, 14-12. Maryland extended its lead towards the end of the set, ultimately taking the second set, 25-18.

Mirroring its strong first set, Illinois took the lead early in the third set against the Terps, and kept the lead throughout the set. Illinois took the set by more than ten points, 25-15.

The Terps opened up the fourth set putting up points first on the board, but the Illini quickly took a 7-5 lead. The set was a tight battle all throughout, and the Terps even found a lead at 22-20, but three Illinois kills tied the set at 23.

Despite the close game, and Maryland’s hopes of forcing a fifth set, Illinois closed out the set 25-23 for the match win, 3-1.

Maryland finished the match with a .131 hitting percentage, and outscored Illinois in total blocks (12).

The loss was the Terps’ first since their final match of the Aztec Classic, when Arizona narrowly defeated them 3-2.

Sam Csire has been a big threat on Maryland’s offense all season. Csire ranks top-10 in the conference in kills-per-set (3.33) and points-per-set (3.82). 

While Csire has been a big threat on offense, Maryland’s defense has arguably been the more dominant side of the team. Rainelle Jones leads the conference in blocks-per-set (1.85), and Anastasia Russ is only a few spots behind her (1.32).

Indiana enters coming off of a 3-0 defeat against No. 9 Penn State.

The first set started out as a close contest until Penn State went on a 6-0 run to extend its lead to 16-8. Penn State ultimately took the set 25-17. 

Starting the second set with momentum, Indiana took the lead early, but Penn State quickly tied the set at six. Penn State finally gained control and found itselves up four, 20-16. Despite Indiana’s efforts to avoid a 2-0 hole, Penn State took the second set, 25-21. 

After an early tie in set three, Indiana led for the majority, 17-14. However, Penn State closed in and eventually took a 21-20 lead, and ultimately the set, 25-23. 

Indiana outscored Penn State in kills (36), assists (35), and digs (41). 

The loss was Indiana’s second in a row, its third two-game losing streak this season.

Mady Saris has been a hard hitter for the Hoosiers this season. Saris ranks fifth in the conference in kills-per-set (3.84) and sixth in points-per-set (4.33). Saris is helped on the offensive side by Camryn Haworth, seventh in the Big Ten in assists-per-set (9.57).

Despite Saris and Haworth, Indiana enters as a bottom-five team in the conference in assists-pet-set (11.55) and hitting percentage (.228).

The match is set to start at 1 p.m. Sunday and will take place at the Xfinity Center Pavilion in College Park.