Maryland Women's Basketball Tabbed No. 12 in Preseason Poll
9/27/2004 8:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Sept. 27, 2004
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - On the heels of a successful season which saw the Maryland women's basketball team reach the second round of the 2004 NCAA Tournament, coach Brenda Frese's young squad was ranked 12th in a preseason poll in the Athlon Sports College Basketball Annual, which is currently available. Sophomore Shay Doron also earned Preseason Honorable Mention All-America honors in Street & Smith's College Preview publication.
The Terps exceeded all expectations when they reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year, winning their first tournament game in 12 years. After an eighth-place pick in an ACC preseason media poll, Maryland went on to tie for third in the league. Their 18 wins on the season were the most since the 1996-97 campaign.
Frese has been a workhorse on the recruiting trails. With the signing of Laura Harper (Elkins Park, Pa./Cheltenham), Crystal Langhorne (Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro), Ashleigh Newman (Shelbyville, Tenn./Shelbyville Central) and Jade Perry (Central City, Ky./Muhlenberg North), Frese's incoming freshman class was rated No. 2 in the nation by the Blue Star Report last November.
Returning starter Shay Doron (Great Neck, N.Y./Christ the King) made the immediate impact expected, leading the team in scoring with 13.5 points per game in her rookie season. She became the first-ever Terrapin to earn All-ACC honors as a freshman when she was named to the third team and finished in the top 10 in the conference in scoring. She was also named to the ACC All-Freshman team and was the first Terp since Jessie Hicks in 1993 to be selected first team All-ACC Tournament.
Maryland returns three starters and seven letterwinners overall. With the addition of the four newcomers, eight of 11 Terps are freshmen and sophomores. The season tips off with an exhibition game on Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. vs. UMMC Ekaterinburg. The official start of the season begins with Maryland making a trip to Appalachian State on Nov. 19.
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