2004 Maryland Volleyball Season Preview
8/30/2004 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 30, 2004
It is one of the rewarding and challenging things about sports: Once you taste success, you will not settle for less. Similarly, with new achievements come different goals; when once it was enough to get to the NCAA Tournament, the goal becomes to advance further than before. After feeling the ACC Championship trophy in your hands, the goal is now to hold it each and every year.
For the Terrapin volleyball team, 2003 was a year of impressive achievements - an ACC title, an appearance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and a long list of postseason accolades. Naturally, the goals for the 2004 campaign have become even more ambitious.
With one of the elite coaches in the sport, an experienced corps of upperclassmen and an exciting group of newcomers, Maryland is poised to build on its past successes and have another exceptional season. Adding to the pride of the program is Comcast Center Pavilion - a host for last year's NCAA First and Second Rounds and a venue that housed the largest crowd in Terrapin volleyball history in its first year as the team's home court.
"The success of last season has brought an excitement and pride that has affected our entire program," head coach Janice Kruger says. "It also raises the bar for this year in terms of individual players' aspirations and team expectations. Our goals have been raised and we are looking to bring the Maryland volleyball program to a different peak."
The pieces are in place for this year's team, and while the Terps have lost a few key components from their championship run, it is evident they are ready to pick up where 2003 left off.
Setter
Honorable mention AVCA All-American and first team All-ACC honoree Aimee Huddleston returns for her senior campaign as arguably the league's top setter. Huddleston orchestrated an offense in 2003 that hit .262 and she shattered the Maryland single-season assists record, tallying 1,669 for the year.
With her height at 5-10 and speed, Huddleston is able to assist in the blocking schemes and pose a significant offensive threat. Easily the team's most versatile player, she was the only Terrapin to register a triple-double last season and also had 12 double-doubles.
"Aimee is our team leader and has a ton of passion," Kruger says. "She, along with the rest of the senior class, is the cornerstone for our team achieving its goals. Her leadership and ability to run an offense will help take this team to the next level."
Along with Wagener, Huddleston was also selected as a preseason All-ACC team member.
Backing up Huddleston is Teryn Papp, a sophomore who saw key playing time in 23 games and 14 matches last year, including both NCAA Tournament matches. Already a knowledgeable player, Papp will look to gain more experience this year.
Outside Hitter
Clearly a strong point for the Terrapins will be at the outside hitter position. The trio of Maria DiLivio, Sarah Treadwell and Jennifer Dewalt bring power, poise and big-game experience to the front row and, as seniors, will be called upon for leadership.
"I feel very confident about our outside hitters," Kruger says. "Maria, Sarah and Jen all have their strengths and they bring power and ball control to the outside. They give us a lot to work with in our offense."
DiLivio returns after a junior season in which she was second on the team in kills (3.17 per game) and service aces (54 / .43 per game), and third in digs (3.14 per game). At 6-foot-1, she has the size and strength to put up big numbers again in 2004.
"Maria brings firepower to the offense and great ball control to the defense," Kruger says.
Treadwell, who has played in more games than any other returner, peaked at the end of last year and earned a spot on the ACC All-Tournament team with three stellar performances at the conference championships in Orlando, Fla. With what Kruger calls "an outstanding combination of finesse and power," Treadwell will be relied upon to again lead the team on defense and passing (team-high 440 digs in 2003) while also being a threat on offense (2.51 kills per game).
On the right side, Jennifer Dewalt steps in for Lynnsy Jones, last year's ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player. It is a role that, according to Kruger, Dewalt is eager to play. "Jen had a great spring and I look forward to seeing her on the right side this year," Kruger said. "She's such a hard worker and will bring a lot to that position, offensively and defensively."
Junior Rachel Moore and redshirt freshman Tina Aramburu also return on the outside for Kruger's squad. With a redshirt season under her belt, Aramburu will compete for a supporting role this season. Moore also gained a year of experience after transferring from Appalachian State and saw action in 13 games and nine matches for the Terps in 2003. With a powerful jump serve and solid attack, Moore will compete for time in the rotation.
Newcomers Jade Brown, Mary Beth Brown and Beth Gillming could also be factors on the outside. "They bring a fun, hardworking attitude to practice and all three are dedicated to improve and be great volleyball players," Kruger said.
Gillming has experience at a high level, as her prep team was ranked No. 1 in the country in 2003, while Jade Brown is a gifted athlete with a tremendous vertical jump. Mary Beth Brown, at 6-foot-3, brings not only size but also a left-handed attack to the offense.
Middle Blocker
The Terps return what can only be called the most dynamic block in the ACC. The combination of juniors Rachel Wagener and Stephanie Smith has proven to be one of the Terps' most important assets and both return from standout seasons in 2003.
Wagener, a second team All-ACC selection, led the nation in blocks for several weeks in 2003 and was among the leaders in the conference. Her 200 blocks set a single-season school record and she also managed to average more than two kills a game. She has been recognized by the league's coaches as an All-ACC preseason selection.
"Rachel has improved since last year," Kruger says. "She is quicker and jumping higher and is really going to be a factor for us."
Smith led the team in attack percentage (.352) and solo blocks (27) last season, and returns with a great deal of experience. A strong offensive threat in the middle, Smith averaged more than 2.75 kills per game and reached double figures in the kills category 20 times.
According to Kruger, the returning combination of Smith and Wagener will bring the Terrapins' block to another level. Newcomer Charese Baldwin will back up the duo in a reserve role.
Defensive Specialist
With the loss of Fiona DeFreitas and Lauren Wilson to graduation, the competition for the starting libero position is open. Kathy Shahrokh, who played in 70 games and 22 matches last season, and Stephanie Doiron, who makes the transition from outside hitter to the back row this year, both return as possibilities.
Also in the mix is freshman Katie Luhrsen, who enjoyed a successful prep career at Wheaton Warrenville South High School in Wheaton, Ill.
"Kathy, Stephanie and Katie will bring a lot of competition to this position," Kruger says. "It is a position where you have to be steady, but also have a spark."
Analysis
After achieving success, a team can either reflect back on it and rest or it can work hard to remain at that high level. With a strong foundation of leadership and energetic new personalities, Maryland looks to take the accomplishments of last season and continue to build upon that tradition of success.
