Aug. 29, 2005

In arguably the best consecutive seasons in program history, the 2003 and 2004 Terrapin volleyball teams were crowned champions of the ACC and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Although the last two seasons had stark contrasts, one striking similarity was the way the Terrapins managed to peak at exactly the right time during the conference and national tournaments.

If winning the ACC Tournament can be likened to a four-day sprint, the Terps will now have to perfect the art of a three-month marathon. The Atlantic Coast Conference will not hold a conference tournament in 2005, but will instead crown its champion after a double round robin regular-season schedule.

"Our ACC Tournament starts Sept. 20, when we play our first conference match," head coach Janice Kruger said. "The new format will bring a different sense of urgency to our double round robin schedule. Each time players and teams step out onto the floor they are playing for the top prize: the ACC championship. As an athlete, it is a great motivator."

Maryland is up to the challenge and can rely on many different facets of the program to help reach its ambitious goals. Head coach Janice Kruger, already the ACC's all-time winningest coach, enters her 18th season at the helm of the Terrapins and is just three victories away from 700. Adding to the pride of the program is Comcast Center Pavilion - a host site for the 2003 NCAA first and second rounds and already one of the league's most intimidating arenas in just its third season as the home of the Terps.

On top of that, the Terrapins return two of the most dynamic players in the league. Seniors Rachel Wagener and Stephanie Smith, both preseason All-ACC selections, will look for their senior campaigns to be their most successful endeavors yet.

"Rachel and Stephanie will bring their experience as four-year starters and as proud owners of two ACC Championship rings," Kruger said. "They have the type of leadership that can bring this young team together."

MIDDLE BLOCKER
Since arriving in College Park, Smith and Wagener have been two of the Terps' most important assets. Both have improved with each year in the program and return as one of the most dominant combinations in the league.

Wagener - a two-time second team All-ACC pick and 2004 honorable mention All-American and AVCA All-Region selection - enters 2005 as the most prolific blocker in Terp history. With one season remaining, the 6-4 Virginia native already holds school records in career blocks (452), career blocks assists (396), blocks in a season (200 in 2003) and block assists in a season (177 in 2003).

She has also been a nearly unstoppable offensive force at the net, as she has a career attack percentage of .323 and registered nearly three blocks per game in 2004.

Smith, meanwhile, has also been a force on both sides of the net during her career. She is right behind Wagener on the all-time charts and led the team in every blocking category last season.

Also a strong offensive threat in the middle, Smith averaged more than two kills per game and reached double figures in the kills category 15 times.

The duo obviously has the talent to make 2005 a memorable season, but will also be called upon to demonstrate the senior leadership the Terrapins have become known for.

"They will be expected to do what they have done over the last three years and bring all their experience, confidence and determination. I want them to lead their team down the path that they know," Kruger said.

Newcomer Meredith Doyle should provide a solid back up to Smith and Wagener. At 6-5, Doyle's size and agility will be a constant threat to opposing teams. Coming from Langley High School in McLean, Va., Doyle was her school's record holder for career blocks and was named Liberty District's Most Valuable Player.

Also joining the Terps in the middle is freshman Kathleen Wilson. Hailing from Michigan, Wilson was an all-region and all-county selection at Marian High School in Bloomfield Hills.

OUTSIDE HITTER
The Terps return experience at the outside hitter position, but will also have to cope with significant losses to graduation. An All-Freshman selection in 2004, Jade Brown will be called upon much more during her sophomore season. She showed flashes of offensive brilliance a season ago, and will look to continue to become a complete player as her career progresses. An exceptional athlete with explosive energy, Brown posted over 200 kills in her debut season.

"I saw Jade really develop as an outside hitter in the spring. Her overall confidence has gotten better and she is absolutely a phenomenal athlete who plays with such grace," Kruger said.

Also part of the outside hitter rotation, senior Stephanie Doiron will be relied on for more offensive contributions. She saw time at defensive specialist and in the back row last year, and her versatility will be a key component of the Terps' success.

Sophomores Tina Aramburu and Beth Gillming will also compete for time on the outside, and freshman Mary Beth Brown will look to step in on the right side after a redshirt season in 2004.

Newcomer Maggie Schmelzle, a product of the same perennial prep powerhouse as sophomore Beth Gillming (St. Ursula Academy in Cincinnati), could also be a factor on the outside. The 6-1 freshman will look to fill the void left by the graduating senior class, which included ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player Sarah Treadwell, Jennifer Dewalt and Maria DiLivio.

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST
The libero position was a question mark for the Terrapins last season, as several players got a chance to make the position their own. In the end, it was then-freshman Beth Gillming who emerged as one of the top defensive players in the league.

She capped her debut season with a record-breaking performance at the ACC Tournament, where she posted 87 digs over four matches to set a new tournament record.

The only freshman to play in all 33 matches a season ago, Gillming will use that experience as she enters her sophomore season. A smart player with seemingly endless energy, the Terps will expect more of the same from her.

Doiron could also figure into the defensive specialist position, as she possesses the versatility to see time in different roles.

Also in the mix for the libero position will be newcomer Allison Way, a local product out of Washington, D.C.

SETTER
The Terps have two talented prospects at setter for 2005. With the graduation of honorable mention All-American Aimee Huddleston, Teryn Papp and Tedi Doucet will look to share setting responsibilities in 2005.

As a steady back up to Huddleston for the past two seasons, Papp has seen action in critical games the past two seasons, including two NCAA Tournaments.

Freshman Tedi Doucet, hailing from Austin, Texas, is also in the mix for the position. A confident setter with all-around skills, she will look to make the transition from high school to collegiate volleyball.

Schedule The Terps open their season with the Courtyard by Marriott Ft. Meade Invitational at Comcast Center Pavilion on Labor Day Weekend. Marshall, Rutgers and Texas-Arlington will travel to College Park for the season-opening tourney.

Following those three home matches, the Terps hit the road for consecutive weekends with tournaments at Pittsburgh and Fordham.

After those non-conference tilts, Maryland will enter the long stretch of conference matches beginning on Sept. 20, when it hosts ACC newcomer Boston College. Two matches against each league team will be played until Thanksgiving weekend, when the regular season wraps up with a road trip to NC State and North Carolina.