2006 Volleyball Season Outlook
8/29/2006 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 29, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - As three-time ACC defending champions with three consecutive NCAA appearances, the goals of the Terrapin volleyball program would seemingly have been met. That said, while winning the conference title is always a goal, Maryland head coach Janice Kruger's chief objective is to advance as far as possible in the NCAA Tournament.
Aside from the team's accomplishments, Kruger recognizes that the competition in the league is unyielding and the adaptation that occurs each year with a different team poses new challenges. Her philosophy and goals have resonated with the players. After having built and maintained an exceptional level of play in recent years, the veterans have established standards - well-understood standards of what is expected in the program.
To this end, Coach Kruger has instilled an atmosphere in the Terrapin program conducive to the goals. The team is comprised of athletes that have an unrelenting commitment to the sport - to strive to be better to perform in conference play and in non-conference matchups. The 2006 team possesses that talent to enable them to reach their goals.
"We're excited about the new season - integrating a group of young, developing middle blockers with our experienced outside hitters and setters. It's a fun and challenging period for the team," said Kruger. After winning the ACC Tournament Championships in 2003 and 2004, the league's new format of a double-round robin in the regular season brought new demands on the team. Undeterred, the Terps were atop the standings, capturing a share of the ACC title in 2005.
The challenge for the Terps this season is this - will they be able to sustain this level of play and continue to be a leader in the league?
Indeed the league is changing.
The Terps, selected to finish fifth in the ACC preseason poll, are undaunted. Junior power-hitter Jade Brown will be looked upon to utilize her athleticism and blocking ability for Maryland. Central to the Terrapin offense are returning starters Beth Gillming and Maggie Schmelzle, two all-around players with extraordinary passing and hitting skill.
"The league is maturing. A lot of players have gained significant experience," Kruger remarked. "We like the double-round robin format and the opportunity to make each match a championship match. We like the intensity it brings. We're looking forward to competing for the championship in the ACC."
OUTSIDE HITTERS
The key strength of the Terrapins in 2006 is the solid core of outside hitters, on both the right side and the left sides. The varying players form a combination of exceptional athletic ability, sounds skills and collegiate experience.
Brown is an explosive athlete with a strong arm and a fierce attack. The Atlanta native is a three-time All-ACC selection, including a 2006 preseason All-ACC pick, who made an immediate impact her freshman season. As a sophomore in 2005, Brown led the team in total attacks, recorded 397 kills for a 3.25 kill per game average and posted 87 blocks.
Also on the right side is junior team captain Beth Gillming, who was named to the 2006 All-ACC preseason team. Gillming possesses tremendous skill and aptitude on the court matched with an unwavering determination. As one of the team's most balanced players, she displayed her potent offense last season collecting 280 kills, 62 blocks and 348 digs.
At 6-3, junior Mary Beth Brown gained considerable experience in her last two seasons. Brown will be a significant part of Maryland's offensive arsenal and is an effective presence on defense as she is the teams blocks leader among the returners.
Sophomore Maggie Schmelzle emerged on the squad as one of the team's most consistent and dominant players in 2005. Schmelzle registered the most double-doubles for the team, notching 430 digs (3.52 dpg) and 334 kills (2.74 kpg) in her inaugural season. She was named to the All-ACC Freshman team for her efforts.
Though she was out most of the 2005 season with an injury, Tina Aramburu has developed each year in the program and has worked hard to make an impact this year. She will be another asset for the Terp rotation.
"We have a lot of go-to players on the outside," Kruger said. "It gives the setters a lot of options to distribute the ball evenly."
SETTERS
Fundamental to the Terps' potent offense last season was the implementation of the 6-2 offense. Two returning starters - senior captain Teryn Papp and sophomore Tedi Doucet - will assume the key positions again in 2006.
Papp recorded a team-high 850 assists (7.01 a/g), while Doucet notched 721 assists (5.91 a/g) and a single-match high seven service aces last season.
"We'll draw on the setters' ability and experience to help orchestrate the offense, compete as a strong unit and demonstrate strong leadership on the court," stated Kruger.
This season, the Terps also have a talented freshman, Hayley Hanson, at setter with a sound understanding of the game as she enters the collegiate level.
Kruger noted, "Hanson is a good passer, possesses solid ball-control, and is especially aggressive which will be a huge asset on defense for us."
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
While the Terrapin program has been noted for its dominant blocking and hitting ability, the most significant losses to graduation were the dynamic pair of Rachel Wagener and Stephanie Smith. Both players broke numerous records during their careers as Terps.
"We've had some significant success with dominant middle blockers and, in a way, have almost grown accustomed to having strong players in the middle," said Kruger. "It's always an expectation of these new players to perform well in the middle - the middle blocker is an important linchpin in the team system."
In 2006, the Terrapin middle blockers will be poised to foray their "middle mentality" to lead and become a factor to help the offense work well.
This season, the middle blockers are fairly young, but have attributes to build upon. Maryland has sheer physical size. Both Meredith Doyle at 6-5 and Kathleen Wilson will be instrumental to Maryland's offensive strategy.
"Meredith has a unique ability to hit at a high point, we'll look to utilize that a lot in 2006," remarked Kruger. "Kathleen has worked hard in the off-season to hone her skills."
Adding to the middle blocker rotation is newcomer Katie Usher. At 6-3, Usher possesses a quality similar to other Terrapin newcomers - they have considerable experience playing the big roles for their high school and club teams which will only help them adapt to the collegiate game.
"Katie has great size, agility and a quick attack," said Kruger. "Her development will put her in a great position to challenge for time in the middle."
LIBERO
The Terps will likely have a new face in the libero position. Beth Gillming was a key performer in the slot in 2004 posting an ACC Tournament record 87 digs over four matches that season. Last season, senior Stephanie Doiron was a pivotal player for the Terps as the primary defensive specialist. In that role, she catapulted to become Maryland's single-season record holder with 546 digs.
The Terrapins have players with great potential and ability in the libero position. Maryland freshman and Rockville, Md. native Christina Paul is an option for the Terps, as well. She has shown tremendous promise as a player and will add depth defensively.
SCHEDULE
The schedule is specific and purposeful as the Terps face six teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2005. Both UCLA and Ohio advanced to the NCAA regionals, while traditional ACC-rival Duke fell in the second round to Nebraska. The substance of the season are the home and away ACC matchups, similar to the 2005 season, in which the conference champion is determined by the final regular-season conference record.
The Terps start the season on the road at the Indiana University Invitational (Sept. 1-2) and at the Stony Brook University Invitational (Sept. 8-9) before kicking off at home in the Hilton Garden Inn Greenbelt Invitational at Comcast Center (Sept. 15-16), hosting Long Island, Florida International and UCLA.
"Our regular season tournament schedule is very challenging. We're seeing strong teams and we'll get an opportunity to adjust our strategy by the time we begin ACC play," stated Kruger. "It will get us ready for the core of the season."
The ACC portion of the schedule begins with a matchup in the sunshine state against Florida State and Miami (Sept. 22-24), followed by the Terps' first ACC contest in College Park against Virginia Tech (Sept. 29) and Virginia (Sept. 30), rounded out by a Tuesday contest in Chestnut Hill against Boston College (Oct. 3).
Maryland hosts Georgia Tech and Clemson (Oct. 6-8) before going on a four-game road swing in the state of North Carolina. The Terps face Duke and Wake Forest (Oct. 12-13) and return to the Tobacco Road to take on the Tar Heels and the Wolfpack (Oct. 20-21).
The second half of the ACC schedule begins again with Miami and Florida State visiting College Park (Oct. 27-29). The Terps head to Virginia for contests against the Cavaliers (Nov. 3) and the Hokies (Nov. 4), followed by three home matchups against the Eagles (Nov. 7), the Blue Devils (Nov. 10) and the Demon Deacons (Nov. 12).
The last road games are played against the Tigers of Clemson (Nov. 17) and the Yellow Jackets (Nov. 18). The final home stretch features the Wolfpack (Nov. 24) and a season-ending rematch against the Tar Heels (Nov. 25).
The 2006 Terrapin team prides itself on just that - being a true team. Coach Kruger notices it in her players, "I can see they are looking forward to competing. Each match raises their level of individual and team performance on the court."
"We're a true team. Even though we're made up of so many different individuals, our common thread is that we've developed as a team," continued Kruger. "They understand the standard of what is expected in the Terrapin program and are ready to compete."
