Terp Volleyball Travels To Indiana To Start Season
8/31/2006 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 31, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland women's volleyball team opens the 2006 season this weekend (Sept. 1-2) at the Indiana University Invitational in Bloomington, Ind. The Terps play one match on Friday (Sept. 1) against Chicago State at 4 p.m. (CST) with two contests on Saturday (Sept. 2) against Marshall (10:00 a.m.) followed by host Indiana on Saturday night (7:00 p.m.)
2006 Preview
Seven letterwinners return from last year's squad that went 28-5 (18-4 in the ACC) to claim their third consecutive ACC title and reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Senior setter Teryn Papp returns, along with starters Jade Brown, Beth Gillming, Mary Beth Brown, and Maggie Schmelzle. Tina Aramburu, Meredith Doyle and Kathleen Wilson will compete for the starting positions while sophomore Tedi Doucet will be pivotal to the setting rotation for the team.
Newcomers
Four newcomers to the team are freshmen middle blocker Katie Usher, defensive specialist Christina Paul, and outside hitter Ashley Hogan. Hayley Hanson may serve in the starting role as libero for the Terps.
The 700 Club
On September 3, 2005, Maryland head coach Janice Kruger recorded her 700th career victory in the 3-0 win against Texas-Arlington in College Park. She earned her 350th ACC victory in the win over NC State on November 25, 2005. Her 28-year career includes one year at Platte Technical Community College, nine years at Nebraska University in Omaha (1979-1987) and 18 years at Maryland (1989-present) for a .692 career win percentage. Kruger has a 10-8 record in season-openers with the Terps.
Team Co-Captains
For the 2006 season, senior Teryn Papp and junior Beth Gillming will serve as team co-captains. Papp, a Bloomington South High School graduate, will start at setter for the Terps. She has garnered 893 career assists, ranked No. 7 on the Terps all-time list, averaging 7.01 assists last season.
Gillming, a 2006 Preseason All-ACC selection, is a third-year starter. The Cincinnati native, second on the team last season for most double-doubles recorded, will also lead the team on the court adding as an outside hitter.
Season Schedule
Maryland's 2006 schedule includes six teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2005. Both UCLA and Ohio advanced to the NCAA regionals.
The Terrapins open the tournament tomorrow night against Chicago State, marking the first meeting between the two teams. The Bears (0-3) dropped three season opening matches last weekend in the Hawkeye Challenge in Iowa City, IA.
Following the match against Chicago State, Maryland will face Marshall Saturday at 10 a.m. Marshall (1-3) returns three starters to this year's lineup, and fell to Xavier Wednesday night (20-30, 32-30, 13-30, 13-30). The Thundering Herd faced the Terps in their season opener last season for the first time, with the Terps prevailing (30-25, 30-28, 28-30, 30-27) en route to a 14-0 record start.
On Saturday night, the Terps will face host Indiana who post a 3-0 record after winning the West Virginia Tournament with wins over Akron, Oakland and West Virginia last weekend. The winner of this match will take the overall series lead as the schools hold a 1-1 record against each other.
Maryland's match on Saturday at 7 p.m. against the Hoosiers can be followed on Gametracker.
