Nov. 16, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Two local standouts officially signed on to play their collegiate volleyball at the University of Maryland Friday, giving head coach Janice Kruger a duo of proven prep players to help bolster her front row for the next four years.

Maddi Lee (Clarksville, Md./River Hill) and Kaitlin Zimmer (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) both officially signed with Maryland Friday.

Kruger added size and scoring ability with the 2008 class. Lee, a 6-foot-2-inch outside hitter, will help offset the losses of current seniors Beth Gillming and Jade Brown and the 6-foot-3-inch Zimmer is expected to play on the Terps' right side, giving the team another powerful hitter and effective blocker on the opposite side..

"I am extremely excited about this incoming class," Kruger said. "We added an outside hitter and a right-side hitter, so we added players who will help us at two key positions in the front row. Maddi and Kate both bring a strong desire to perform at Maryland, being Maryland residents. I'm proud to have them in my program and help them become stronger players as we try to compete for future ACC titles."

Lee and Zimmer both played for the Maryland Juniors club team last season. However, Lee and Zimmer recently squared off against one another as River Hill and North Hagerstown played each other in the Class 2A state semifinals at Ritchie Coliseum in College Park on Tuesday evening.

Lee led all players with 33 kills in the match, while Zimmer posted 28 on .373 hitting. However, Zimmer added 19 digs and seven blocks. Lee notched 13 digs.

Local fans can see Zimmer in action Saturday at noon when North Hagerstown plays for the state championship against Rising Sun at Ritchie Coliseum. The Terps host Virginia Tech at 5 p.m. the same day.

-TERPS-