Volleyball Inks Four Recruits for 2009
11/19/2008 7:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 19, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland head coach Tim Horsmon and the University of Maryland volleyball coaching staff has announced its 2009 recruiting class. The class, the staff's first full recruiting haul since coming to College Park, consists of four talented high-school standouts.
Horsmon targeted the New York and Chicago areas, nabbing 6-foot-1-inch setter/right side Remy McBain (Leonia, N.J./Academy of The Holy Angels), 5-foot-10-inch outside hitter Samantha Rosario (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst), 6-foot-3-inch middle blocker Sara Shannon (Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park and River Forest) and 6-foot-1-inch outside hitter Kara Bates (Bradley, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais Community).
"We are very excited about this recruiting class," Horsmon said. "Athletically, we are going to improve at multiple positions. These four all have a great volleyball IQ and they are all high-energy kids. I think all of them have a chance to come in and compete for playing time right away."
McBain gives the Terrapins a left-handed attacker on the right side with the skill set to become one of the team's primary setters.
"Remy, we think has a really good upside. She has a great feel for both setting and attacking on the right side and she's left-handed, which we like out of that position," Horsmon said. "We're excited to get her in here to train and see what kind of setter and attacker she can become. She understands the game and has a good sense about how to compete."
Rosario is expected to bring an abundance of energy to the program and the versatility to play different positions.
"Samantha has great energy and is a really passionate player," Horsmon said. "She's extremely athletic and I think she can play a lot of different positions for us. She has the intense attitude we are really looking for."
Coming from the Chicago area, Shannon brings a high level of experience to the program from both high school and club competition.
"Sara comes from a really strong club background," Horsmon said. "She's a smart kid and she understands the game well. She has a good feel for the position and we think she will come in and compete for time either in the middle or the right side."
Bates is another high-energy, versatile player who is expected to compete for a spot on the left side.
"Kara handles the ball well and defends well. She could play a couple positions for us, but we're really looking for her to compete as one of our left-side hitters," Horsmon said. "She's athletic and she plays with a lot of fire and toughness. She could really stabilize us on the left side."
The combination of this recruiting class and next year's returners has Horsmon excited for the future of the Maryland volleyball program.
"With these four kids, along with the players we have coming back next year, I feel we are in good shape for the coming years," he said. "I expect to see a lot of improvement in the spring season for our returners. With a preseason to train the freshmen, we should add a lot of depth at key positions going into next year. I am extremely excited about what this core group can become."
A Deeper Look at the 2009 Maryland Volleyball Recruiting Class
• Remy McBain - 6-1 Setter/Right Side (Leonia, N.J./Academy of The Holy Angels)
- USA Volleyball Women's International Juniors Gold medalist in 2008
- MVP of Philadelphia Volleyball Academy Tournament in 2007
- Participated in 2007 USA Volleyball A-1 Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y.
- Also participated in 2006 USA Volleyball A-2 Camp in San Francisco
- USA Volleyball High Performance in Austin, Texas in 2005
- Four-year member of varsity volleyball team and senior captain
- Team MVP as a senior
- Three-time first-team all-league selection and a second-team selection once
- Two-time all-county second-team selection
- Three-time all-group all-state first-team selection
• Samantha Rosario - 5-10 Outside Hitter (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst)
- Suffolk Player of the Year
- Four-time scholar athlete
- Two-time volleyball MVP
- Four-time all-tournament team
- Three-time all-county selection
- Rookie of the year in volleyball and basketball as a freshman
- Made all-tournament in basketball as a freshman
• Sara Shannon - 6-3 Middle Blocker (Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park and River Forest)
- Oak Park and River Forest volleyball MVP and freshman basketball MVP
- All-conference as a junior and senior
- Team MVP and all-academic team as a senior
- 1st Alliance VBC
- Outstanding Blocker Award at 2008 Prepvolleyball Classic
• Kara Bates - 6-1 Outside Hitter (Bradley, Ill./Bradley Bourbonnais Community)
- Opted out of junior and senior years of high school ball to train with Ultimate Boys Team
- Honorable mention all-state as a sophomore
- All-area by "Kankakee Daily Journal"
- Named to three all-tournament teams as sophomore
- Four-time Olympic Junior qualifier
- USAV Youth National HO A2 Team in 2006 and 2007
- Illinois GLR High Performance Team in 2006
- Qualified for USAV Junior Olympics in 2005, 2006 and 2008
-TERPS-
