Volleyball Team Gears Up for 1999 Season
8/13/1999 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 13, 1999
The 1999 Maryland volleyball team enters the season with one of its youngest teams in recent memory. The Terps return two senior starters from last season, but after that, the roster is loaded with underclassmen. Still, as head coach Janice Kruger points out, this year presents the exciting challenge of molding a team that she sees as being filled with potential.
"We enter this season with a young team," said Kruger. "The key to this season will be developing our team chemistry. We have potential. I am excited to take this squad into action against the rest of the ACC."
Maryland will lean on senior outside hitters Kate Hannas and Beth Murphy, both of whom were full-time starters last season, to lead this year's team.
After gaining playing time at the outside hitter position in 1996 and 1997, Hannas moved into the starting lineup last season. She finished third on the team with 21 solo blocks and 77 block assists.
Murphy transferred to Maryland from Duquesne last year and started every match for the Terps in 1998 at the outside hitter position. She led the team with 381 kills and 330 digs, and was tied for second on the team with 32 service aces.
"Kate and Beth are the two most experienced players on the team," said Kruger. "They both have strengths in blocking, hitting and all-court play. They bring leadership and experience to this young team and will lead them into our challenging ACC schedule."
A third full-time starter returning from the 1998 squad is sophomore setter Libby Alberts, who immediately stepped into the starting lineup last season and led the Terps with 1,121 assists. With a year of experience, Kruger expects Alberts to only get better.
"It was tremendous for Libby to be able to get the experience she did last season in her first year," said Kruger. "She will continue to gain confidence in her role as the setter in charge of the team."
Junior Maren Stuart is a versatile player who can play either the middle hitter or outside hitter position. After seeing action in 18 matches as a freshman and 25 matches as a sophomore, she figures to become an even more integral part of the team this season.
"Maren improved a lot this spring and we expect to see even more improvement this fall," said Kruger. "She is extremely competitive."
The Terps return three other players from last year's squad. Sophomore defensive specialist Autumn Wilson saw action in 17 matches last year and posted 53 digs. Sophomore setter Judy Shen also played in 17 matches, posting 12 assists and 59 digs in the process. After a redshirt season in 1997, sophomore middle hitter Willette Dority gained playing time in three matches last season, a figure that should increase this year.
Maryland heads into the 1999 season with five newcomers, all of whom bring impressive credentials.
Junior outside hitter Nnenna Amobi transferred from Georgia during the offseason. Last season, she recorded 17 kills in a match against LSU and hit .458 (14-3-24) against Kentucky.
"Nnenna shows great potential and versatility in both the middle and outside hitting positions," said Kruger.
Freshman outside hitter Amanda Ayres led Calvert (Md.) High School to the state title last season as well as the Washington Post's top ranking throughout the season. She concluded the season by being selected All-Met by the Post.
"Amanda is a good attacker [she recorded 31 kills in a high school game last year]," said Kruger. "She had a great high school career and is eager to learn and excited about the college game."
Another in-state freshman playing for the Terps this season is outside hitter Carey Brennan, who starred at Smithsburg (Md.) High School last season. She concluded her high school career by being named the Washington County Player of the Year.
"Carey is a phenomenal athlete with huge potential," said Kruger. "She has both quickness and good jumping ability."
Freshman defensive specialist Georgette Saba is also an in-state arrival, having played at Elizabeth Seton High School in nearby Landover Hills. She was named All-Prince George's County her senior year.
"Georgette will add some more flexibility to our team in terms of ball control," said Kruger.
Freshman setter Lindsay Davey led Cherry Creek (Colo.) High School to the state title her junior and senior seasons. She was a two-time all-state and three-time all-district selection.
"Lindsay is a tough competitor and will be a great addition to our setting combination," said Kruger.
The Terps will field one of their youngest teams ever this season, but with the chemistry that Kruger hopes will develop, it could be an exciting year of volleyball at Maryland.
