Nov. 20, 2008

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - A trio of prospective University of Maryland softball players has signed National Letters of Intent as part of the Terrapins' 2009-10 recruitment class, head coach Laura Watten announced Thursday.

The Terps' recruitment efforts ranged from coast to coast in signing Sara Acosta (Anaheim, Calif.), Katie Cialini (New Castle, Del.) and Nicole Maier (Orange, Conn.), whose collective resume boasts six all-state nominations and four team MVP awards as they prepare for their final prep seasons.

"My staff and I are extremely pleased with the recruits we have secured for the incoming class," Watten said. "Sara, Katie and Nicole each are very accomplished, and we look forward to their future contributions as student-athletes at the University of Maryland."

Acosta, an outfielder/infielder, has thrice earned all-league and all-state recognition at Loara High School in Anaheim, garnering team MVP honors as a junior in 2008. Her summer travel squad, the Worth Firecrackers Gold, claimed the championship at the 2007 American Softball Association Gold Nationals. A multi-sport prep star, Acosta is a three-time member of the National Honor Roll and is considering majoring in criminology while at Maryland.

St. Elizabeth High School (Wilmington, Del.) standout Katie Cialini will bring a wealth of playing experience to College Park, having served as third baseman and pitcher for the Vikings the last three seasons. Cialini, who also plays for the New Jersey Breaks Gold travel squad, is a three-time recipient of her school's team MVP award, and she also received all-state recognition in Delaware following the 2008 season. Thanks to her academic success, she is a three-time member of the National Honor Roll.

Maier, who plays shortstop and outfield for Lauralton Hall High School in Milford, Conn., helped her team claim the 2008 state championship. The Jersey Inferno Gold travel squad participant is a two-time all-state selection by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association. Elected captain of her prep team, Maier is a repeat all-state nominee by the Connecticut Post, New Haven Register and the Hartford Courant. She also has earned membership in the National Honors Society.

As Acosta, Cialini and Maier prepare to enter their respective senior softball seasons, the Terps are coming off a 36-win campaign and preparing for their own 2009 slate. Maryland opens the upcoming season Feb. 6 at the Florida Atlantic Tournament in Boca Raton, Fla., against 2008 NCAA Tournament participant UMass.

Maryland Softball Recruits