July 20, 2010

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Seniors Katie O'Donnell and Alicia Morawski will serve as captain and vice captain for the 2010 season the Maryland field hockey staff announced Tuesday. This will be O'Donnell's second year as captain and Morawski's first.

"Their leadership characteristics will be perfect to blend a new team and staff for 2010. They both have tremendous work rates and championship and international experience," head coach Missy Meharg said. "They have represented the NCAA, ACC and the international game with a high level of respect."

O'Donnell was a tri-captain on the 2009 Terrapin team, along with Brianna Davies and Alicia Grater. The 2009 Honda Award winner and ACC Offensive Player of the Year has spent the last few months training with the US National team.

"I am extremely excited for the 2010 season," O'Donnell said. "We have a fairly young team this year, but I have no doubt we will have a lot of success. I am grateful to be working with Alicia to lead the 2010 Terps. Not only are we going to work hard but we plan on having fun in the process."

"Katie has demonstrated the type of leadership on the field, which helps set the marker for our training sessions," Meharg said.

Morawski, one of the strongest competitors on the 2009 Maryland team, recently played in USA Field Hockey's High Performance championships last month, along with O'Donnell.

"Going into my fifth year as a Terp hockey player, I have had the great opportunity to have been led by some of what I believe to be the best captains and players," Morawski said. "With the knowledge I have gained from these past leaders as well as my experience over the past few years, I look forward to leading this 2010 Terps team to a successful season. I find it a great honor to be given this opportunity to be captain and cannot wait for August to roll around."

"Alicia remains one of the hardest-working and self-motivated athletes ever to play at Maryland," Meharg said.