June 22, 2010

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Twelve members of the Maryland field hockey program, both current and former, are participating in USA Field Hockey's National Championships in Virginia Beach, Va. this week. The athletes playing in the tournaments are competing for spots on the Women's National and Development Squads, Junior National Camp, Futures Elite and the Junior Olympics.

The Women's National Championship features the top athletes from USA Field Hockey's eight High Performance Centers (Boston, North, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, South, California) and includes current National Team players and Olympians. The Junior High Performance Training Center program began in 2010 with four sites (New England, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic) and highlights the nation's top U21 players.

Maryland Technical Director Tjerk van Herwaarden is coaching the Mid-Atlantic Senior Team in the tournament, while new assistant coach Dina Rizzo is playing on the team along with current players Alicia Morawski and Melissa Vassalotti. Incoming freshman Ali McEvoy is competing with the Mid-Atlantic team, along with recent graduates Brianna Davies, Alexis Pappas and Nicole Muracco.

An inaugural Juniors tournament is taking place as well. Current Terps Janessa Pope and Tara Zollinger, as well as freshman Jill Witmer, will all be playing on the Pennsylvania Juniors team. Freshman Natalie Hunter is competing on the New Jersey Juniors team.

"This is my fifth year coaching the Mid Atlantic Senior High Performance team," van Herwaarden said. "USA Field Hockey provides a very professional environment for all the field hockey talent in the region. This tournament is the stepping stone for young athletes to get ready for National Team play."

As the Maryland field hockey veterans know, being a Terp is very similar to competing at the national level through style of play and its strong level of competition.

"Maryland has prepared me for this tournament as our coaches have done a great job of holding each of us to a higher level of hockey, constantly pushing us and expecting more," Morawski said. "Maryland has always modeled its program after international play, keeping the program and its players up to the highest competitive level possible."

Van Herwaarden said, "The tournament is extremely competitive and an outstanding way for players to develop their skills in the off season. All Maryland players in this tournament will definitely take the benefits from this tournament back to Maryland when we will start our 2010 campaign."

For more information on the Terps participating in the tournament, please visit www.usafieldhockey.com.