Aug. 24, 2009

Spring Hill Suites at Arundel Mills Maryland Invitational page

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland volleyball team will play host to three teams this weekend in the Spring Hill Suites at Arundel Mills Maryland Invitational Tournament. Youngstown State, Stony Brook and Villanova will all head to College Park to compete Friday, Aug. 28 and Saturday, Aug. 29. Each team will compete in three games over the two-day event.

The Terps are looking to start off their season strong under second-year head coach Tim Horsmon. Maryland welcomes five new freshmen faces to the roster. Senior Katie Usher will lead the Terrapins, as she was the team leader in 2008 in blocks (104.0) and kills (282). She is fifth on Maryland's all-time career list for total blocks with 403 and currently holds Maryland's single season block assist record with 180 in 2006.

The Youngstown State Penguins come to College Park led by a group of seniors with a positive outlook for the upcoming season. The Penguins are coming off of an 11-17 season and went 4-12 in Horizon League competition. Four-year head coach Joe Bonner will be faced with replacing three-year starters at setter and outside hitter but has four strong seniors to help carry the team. Senior Ruth Boscaljon is ranked 10th in school history in career kills and her current career attack percentage of .294 is the best in school history.

The Stony Brook squad comes south looking for a strong start to a consistent season. Coming off of a 12-18 2008 season, the Seawolves finished 3-9 in America East conference play. Head coach Deborah Matejka-DesLauriers returns four starters and three other players with over 27 matches played in last year.

Villanova opens its season at the Maryland Invitational against Stony Brook with head coach Josh Steinbach in his third year at the helm. The Wildcats are a relatively young squad with three seniors, six sophomores and four freshmen. They will look to seniors Chelsea Graman, Amy Gulyas and Elysse Studzinski for leadership on the court. The large sophomore class will also build on the strides made in their first season. Villanova looks to return to the Big East Tournament after a one-year absence.

Youngstown State will face off against Villanova Friday at 5 p.m. and Stony Brook will take on Maryland at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Villanova and Stony Brook will play to start the day at 11 a.m. and then Youngstown State and Maryland will take the floor at 1 p.m. Later on Saturday, Youngstown State and Stony Brook will play at 5 p.m. and Maryland and Villanova will close the tournament at 7 p.m.

Teams will be staying at the official hotel of the tournament, the Spring Hill Suites at Arundel Mills. Admission to the Spring Hill Suites at Arundel Mills Maryland Invitational is free and parking is available for free in lot 4B after 4 p.m. on Friday and all-day Saturday.

For directions to the Comcast Center Pavillion, please visit Directions.