April 13, 2009

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland women's basketball team has announced the intention of sophomore guard Marah Strickland (Mount Airy, Md.) to transfer to another institution following the completion of the spring semester.

"We enjoyed having Marah as part of the Maryland basketball program the past two seasons," head coach Brenda Frese said. "We wish her all the best in the future."

Maryland returns two starters next year from this season's 30-win team, forward Demauria Liles and 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year, center Lynetta Kizer. The Terrapins will also be joined by three of the nation's top high school players, 5'9" guard Dara Taylor (Caravel Academy, Wilmington, Del.), 6'3" forward Tianna Hawkins (Riverdale Baptist High School, Clinton, Md.) and 6'7" center Essence Townsend (Paterson Catholic, Paterson, N.J.).

Maryland completed the 2008-09 season as ACC Champions and reached the Elite Eight for the second-consecutive year. The Terrapins have now made six-straight NCAA appearances and won at least 20 games in five-consecutive seasons, a new school record. Graduating seniors and All-Americans Marissa Coleman and Kristi Toliver were the second and third overall selections, respectively, in last Thursday's WNBA Draft.