Kruger Inks Two For 2007-2008 season
11/10/2006 7:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 10, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland Volleyball Coach Janice Kruger announced the signing of Michelle Kenning and Brittany Grove to National Letters-of-Intent to play for the Terps for the 2007-2008 season.
Considered a top 100 recruit and one of the top high school players in Ohio, Kenning is a 6-foot-2 outside hitter out of St. Ursula Academy in Cincinnati. Kenning's vast club experience, six years as a member of Team Z, one of the top 10 club programs in the country, gives her an advantage as she begins her college career. As a starter for the past two years, Kenning helped Team Z finish eleventh nationally.
"Michelle is a powerful and explosive player," Kruger said. "She brings a high level of experience and has solid ball control on the court. She is a great addition to our core of outside hitters."
Kenning brings an impressive resume to the Terrapin program. She is a first team all-state selection as well as a four-year varsity player for her high school team. She currently leads the City of Cincinnati, Division I high school competition with a .348 hitting percentage (5.28 kpg) and 375 kills. She also was named to the all-state second team in 2005 and selected as a Prep Volleyball.com Senior Ace. Kenning served as team captain for the Bulldog squad for the past two season and is a National Honor Society member this year.
Current Terrapins Beth Gillming and Maggie Schmelzle are also products of St. Ursula Academy.
In the role of middle blocker, Glen Allen, Va., native Brittany Grove also joins the Terps next season. At 6-1, Grove is an agile athlete with an impressive vertical jump. She is a quick player with a fast arm swing. Grove was named a Prep Volleyball.com Senior Ace in 2006 and also chosen as the Colonial District Player of the Year and the Central Region AAA Player of the Year. Grove's other honors this year include the Wendy's Heisman High School Award, the Lexus Pursuit of Excellence in Leadership Award and a first-team all-state candidate.
A three-year starter and two-year team captain at Deep Run High School, Grove led her volleyball team to a second-place finish in the state championship, while the team was Colonial District Champions in 2004 and 2006. Grove was named all-state first team in 2005 and she also participated in the junior national championship with her club team, the Richmond Volleyball Club.
Grove has been a member of the National Honor Society and the Student Council in her junior and senior years, while also all-academic for four years. She lettered three years in basketball and soccer for her high school.
"Brittany will bring depth to the middle blocker position for us next season," said Kruger. "She is a tremendous and talented athlete."
"I'm expecting a lot from these two young players with regard to academic and athletic performance," said Kruger. "I think they will both have an immediate impact on our program."
