Aug. 4, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Terrapin volleyball players Stephanie Smith and Rachel Wagener have been named to the 2005 Preseason All-ACC Team, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced. Maryland opens its season on Sept. 2 when it hosts the Courtyard by Marriott Ft. Meade Invitational at Comcast Center Pavilion.

Maryland, the two-time defending ACC Champion, was picked to finish seventh in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, also announced Wednesday. The Terps made their sixth NCAA Tournament appearance in 2004 and advanced to the second round for the second-straight year.

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-foot-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).

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.