Nov. 17, 2009

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - University of Maryland head volleyball coach Tim Horsmon has announced the signing of two talented high school players for the 2010 season in 6-foot outside hitter Mary Cushman and 6-foot-4-inch middle blocker/right side Carlisle Abele.

The 2008 New York Gatorade Player of the Year out of Irondequoidt High School in Rochester, N.Y., Cushman is one of the most highly-rated signees in program history, coming in at No. 56 in the nation by prepvolleyball.com. Hailing from Mountain Brook High School in Birmingham, Ala., Abele gives Maryland a big athlete with ability to play in the middle or left and right side.

Coming on the heels of last year's class that included current freshman standouts like Sam Rosario, Remy McBain and Kara Bates, Horsmon praised Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Tami Ores for her hard work on the recruiting trail.

"Tami continues to show that she's one of the best recruiters in the country. She continues to bring in great classes and we're going to continue to do that," Horsmon said. "You put the last two classes together and we're starting to fill out our personnel and a team full of classes that are going to be able to play. As they continue to develop and get stronger, you're going to be looking at a group that's going to be really competitive within, which will help our practices, as people are going to have to really compete to get on the court."

Mary Cushman.

Horsmon on Mary Cushman: "Mary Cushman is a kid that was being recruited by most of the top programs in the country. She is a physical kid. She plays hard and has an unbelievable personality on and off the court. I think she has leadership ability and she's going to be somebody that people are drawn to. I think she's going to be an unbelievable player. She's really athletic and her entire skill set is solid and I think she's going to be ready to compete right away when she gets here."

Horsmon on Carlisle Abele: "Carlisle's upside is tremendous. As a long, lean kid with a really great arm swing who jumps well with good skills, she can probably play a lot of positions for us. We'll try her in the middle and on the right side and depending on how strong she gets and how she adapts, you could even see her playing some left side if need be. Her size and athleticism gives us a completely different look up front and allows us to be a lot more aggressive blocking and attacking."

- TERPS -