Dec. 14, 2005

SAN ANTONIO, TX - Maryland seniors Rachel Wagener and Stephanie Smith were named as 2005 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America Honorable Mentions today. Wagener and Smith led the Terrapins (28-5) to their seventh trip to the NCAA Tournament this year, back-to-back ACC Championships in 2003 and 2004 and a Co-Championship in 2005. They were one of the most dominant duos in the league.

The selections were made by the AVCA Division I All-America Committee which is comprised of nine volleyball coaches.

Wagener finished the year with a .380 hitting percentage, 405 kills (3.32 kpg) and 197 blocks (1.61 bpg). She was chosen as ACC Player of the Week twice this season, named to the AVCA All-Region Division I Team and to the 2005 All-ACC First Team.

Wagener closes out an extremely successful career with the Terps landing No. 1 on Maryland's All-Time list in Total Blocks (649) and Block Assists (565) while climbing to No. 3 in Solo Blocks (84) and No. 5 in Kills (1,173). She also holds the No. 2 position in three Single-Season Categories: Block Assists (169), Total Blocks (197), and Hitting Percentage (.380). Wagener has the No. 1 slot in Block Assists and Total Blocks with her 2003 performances.

Smith closed out the season with a .371 hitting percentage, 328 kills (2.69 kpg) and 164 total blocks (1.34 bpg). She was also named to the AVCA All-Region Division I Team and to the 2005 All-ACC First Team.

Smith makes a lasting mark in the University of Maryland's All-Time Career record books with her play. She is No. 2 in three categories: Solo Blocks (87), Block Assists (515) and Total Blocks (602). She also improved her position on the All-Time Career Kill list to No. 7 (1,140 kills).

Her .371 hitting percentage this season landed her as No. 3 in the Single Season Record on Maryland's all-time list. In addition, Smith is tied for Total Blocks in a Single Season (148) for No. 9 position.

The awards will be presented December 16 at the AVCA All-America Banquet in San Antonio.