Sept. 4, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Meghan Graves, who played on the first varsity team at the University of Maryland, has been named the first full-time assistant coach in the history of the women's water polo varsity program, head coach Carl Salyer announced recently.

Graves played for the Terrapins from 2000 to 2004, with the 2004 season being the first at the varsity level. For the past two seasons, she has been a volunteer assistant coach at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, while working in other positions in fitness and aquatics.

"I'm very excited to be back at Maryland," said Graves. "Having graduated from here, I'm obviously a huge fan of the University of Maryland both academically and athletically."

She was the captain of the water polo team and was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Graves earned a bachelors in kinesiology in May 2004 and was a member of the Dean's List and the All-ACC Academic Team.

"This is a huge step forward for our program," said Salyer. "Her energy and knowledge will be something that helps our program grow and develop. This a positive step in continuing the growth of the program."

Maryland finished 19-14 last year and placed seventh in the Collegiate Water Polo Association Eastern Championships.