Admission FREE to see No. 23 Maryland vs. Russian University on Sunday at 6 PM at Comcast
11/13/2004 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 13, 2004
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - WOMEN'S BASKETBALL EXHIBITION GAME
Comcast Center (College PArk, Md.)
November 14, 2004
#23 Maryland vs. UMMC Ekaterinburg, 6:00 p.m.
QUICK HITS
TERPS HOST EXHIBITION GAME
• The new Terps take on outside competition for the first time this season, hosting UMMC Ekaterinburg in an exhibition game before the official start of the 2004-05 season. It will be the only exhibition contest for Maryland as it officially opens this season's slate at Appalachian State next weekend.
TERPS RANKED IN AP & COACHES POLL
• The young Maryland Terrapins earned a No. 23 preseason ranking in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches and Associated Press polls. The Terps' preseason rating is bolstered by the return of three starters, including sophomore sensations Shay Doron and Kalika France, and the addition of the No. 2 recruiting class in the nation.
MARYLAND PICKED THIRD IN ACC PRESEASON POLL
• After being picked to finish eighth in the previous two Preseason ACC Media Polls, the Terps jumped five spaces to third in the 2004--05 version. Last year, Maryland ended the season in a surprising third-place tie with NC State.
• North Carolina was predicted to end Duke's six-year stranglehold on the ACC regular-season title, while the Blue Devils were picked to place second in the league. League newcomers Virginia Tech and Miami round out the top five, respectively.
DORON EARNS PRESEASON HONORS
• Doron, who was the first Terrapin freshman to ever earn All-ACC honors, was named to the Naismith Player of the Year watch list. In addition, Street & Smith's selected Doron a Honorable Metion All-American in its college basketball preview edition. She was also voted to the Preseason All-ACC squad at the ACC's Media Day.
LANGHORE SELECTED PRESEASON ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
• Newcomer Crystal Langhorne became the first-ever Terrapin to be named ACC Rookie of the Year when it was announced at ACC Media Day. Langhorne was rated the top post player in the nation last year according to the All-Star Girls Report and was a McDonald's, Parade, Street & Smith's and WBCA All-American.
HARPER CLAIMS GOLD
• Before coming to College Park, freshman Laura Harper traveled to Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, as a member of the U.S. Junior Women's Basketball team. She helped the Stars & Stripes to a perfect 6-0 record at the Junior World Championship Qualifying Tournament as the USA claimed the gold medal.
GUESS WHO'S BACK, BACK AGAIN
• Seven letterwinners return from last season's 18-13 squad. Among them are returning starters senior Anesia Smith and sophomores Shay Doron and Kalika France. Smith is the most experienced Terp on the team and is the incumbent at the point guard position having emerged as the team's leader. Doron and France also look to fulfill leadership roles this season as the two top-returning scorers. France also led the team in rebounding last year.
• Also coming back to the Comcast Center hardwood are juniors Charmaine Carr and Angel Ross, and sophomores Aurelie Noirez and C'Vette Henson. Noirez played every game after sitting out the first eight games of the season while the NCAA determined her international eligibility status. Carr will make contributions at a new position as she will play the swing forward spot. Ross and C'Vette will also push for playing time at the post and guard spots, respectively.
WHO'S NOT
• The Terps have to contend with the loss of post players Delvona Oliver and Crystal Washington. Oliver was an Honorable Mention All-ACC pick and earned a spot on the ACC All-Tournament second team. Washington had a breakout season last year, starting every game and leading the team in blocks.
• After a successful four-year career, Vicki Brick left her mark in the Maryland record books, ranking in the top 10 in assists and steals.
• The Terps who were the top three-point shooting team in the ACC, will be hurt by the departures of Alli Spence and Chrissy Fisher. Spence set the single-season school record for three-point percentage, shooting at a .500 clip. Fisher was seventh in the ACC in three-point shooting and 10th with 1.23 treys made per game.
FIVE NEW FACES JOIN SQUAD
• The No. 2 recruiting class in the nation consists of three post players and a guard. Crystal Langhorne, Laura Harper and Jade Perry will have to fill the void left behind by Delvona Oliver and Crystal Washington. All three have successful prep experience and will make an immediate impact. The only guard in the class, Ashleigh Newman is a versatile player who adds depth to the backcourt and will push for playing time. Senior transfer Liz Gilchrist comes to Maryland after spending three seasons at Division-III Washington College where she was named Honorable Mention All-Centennial Conference in her last season there.
FRESE SIGNS RECRUITS
• Head coach Brenda Frese announced the signing of two of the nation's top recruits. High school seniors Marissa Coleman and Kristi Toliver signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball at the University of Maryland beginning 2005-06. The Blue Star report rated this class the No. 4 recruiting class in the nation, making it the second-straight year Frese has secured a top-five recruiting class.
UP NEXT
• The No. 23 Terps officially open the 2004-05 season on Friday, November 19 at Appalachian State.
