Maryland volleyball libero Kelsey Wicinski missed Friday night’s Big Ten match against Northwestern with an upper body injury, according to the team.
Wicinski, a junior, leads the conference with 4.78 digs per set. Her injury was described as day-to-day. Maryland plays Illinois on Saturday before returning to College Park for a four-match homestand.
Samantha Burgio made her first-ever start as the Terps’ libero against the Wildcats. She recorded 19 digs in a back-and-forth Maryland victory (34-36, 25-23, 24-26, 25-22, 17-15).
Burgio has now appeared in 18 matches this season, rotating in as an extra defender. The Eden, New York, native averages 1.19 digs per frame.
Burgio entered the program as part of Maryland’s best-ever recruiting class. She was an Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American in 2016, as well as the New York Gatorade Player of the Year in 2015.
Coach Steve Aird said Tuesday that Burgio still has plenty to learn, but she has showed her potential in limited opportunities.
Wicinski has served as a mentor for Burgio to start the campaign, giving feedback to the underclassman as they both compete for the same role on the team.
