Aird Announces Incoming Volleyball Class
4/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maryland volleyball head coach Steve Aird announced the signing of four women for the 2015 season Tuesday, adding size, depth and power to the program's roster.
"I think this class adds a great deal of character to our program," said Aird. "They are all hard-working kids who appreciate the opportunity to compete at the highest level. They're exceptional student-athletes who understood where the program was and believed in our vision for where it is headed."
Aird's newest class features Abby Bentz, Angel Gaskin, Liz Twilley and Kelsey Wicinski. The four student-athletes represent four different states and play four different positions, and all will be expected to compete for playing time immediately. Gaskin enrolled at Maryland in January, and her classmates will join her in the fall.
"Our signees are coming to Maryland to help turn the program around, which is a very brave thing to do as an 18 year old," Aird added. "There are going to be some ups and downs but they have the stomach for it and want the challenge. I want players who represent the program and the school at the highest level, are great teammates, have integrity and a chip on their shoulder. These four are not afraid to work."
Before Maryland:
2015 PrepVolleyball Academic All-American … 2014 Girls Volleyball Player of the Year … 2014 all-state, all-star, all-county and all-district first team … finished senior season with 350 kills, 255 assists, 29 service aces and 353 digs … 2013 Girls Volleyball Player of the Year … 2013 all-state honoree … 2013 all-district, all-star, all county first team … Wendy's Heisman High School honoree … 2014 team captain … helped lead Susquehannock to the state semifinals as a freshman on 2011 … served as newspaper editor-in-chief … member of National Honors Society … Student Council, Class Council and Fellowship of Christian Athletes officer ... also played club for Revolution Volleyball.
Personal:
Daughter of Paul Bentz and Karole Kessler-Bentz … has one sister, Hannah … sister plays volleyball at Gettysburg College … chose Maryland for the coaching staff, journalism program and proximity of major media markets … created a student-run online newspaper for Susquehannock's journalism program … intends to major in multi-platform journalism with a minor in statistics.
aird on bentz:
"Abby is a very versatile athlete and a good all-around volleyball player. She is a great student and has a very high volleyball IQ. She can set, handle the ball and serve at a high level. Abby wanted to be part of our program and believes very strongly in what we are doing here."
Before Maryland:
Helped Plant to three district titles ... named to the All-Western Conference first team in 2014 ... named Bright House player of the month ... Bright House player of the week honoree ... five-time player of the match ... played club for Tampa United Volleyball Academy ... placed third at AAU national championships with the TUVA 17 squad.
personal:
Injured her knee before her junior season and thought she might not be able to play collegiately ... sports hero is Misty Copeland ... came to Maryland to help build the program in the Big Ten ... enrolled in Letters & Sciences.
aird on gaskin:
"Angel is a physical, left-handed opposite that comes to us with good skills. She understands what she is getting into and how hard she needs to work to help us out. Most importantly to me, she is a wonderful human being with great energy and a team-first mentality. She will be a very important part of our program going forward, and we are very excited to have her on campus."
Before Maryland:
2014 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year … 2014 MaxPreps All-American … 2014 PrepVolleyball.com All-American … led Oakdale to the 2014 state championship … four-time letterwinner … three-time conference champion … four-time All-Area and All-Conference First Team … two-time Frederick County Player of the Year … two-time Gatorade Player of the Year nominee … recorded more than 1,100 kills in her four years at Oakdale … also played for Metro American Volleyball Club … three-time CHRVA regional champion … named Capitol Hill Classic Attacker of the Tournament twice … National Honors Society member.
personal:
Daughter of James and Susan Twilley … father played soccer at Virginia Tech … has two siblings, Nick and Jess … biggest sports thrill was winning the state championship at Maryland in 2014 … sports hero is Kerri Walsh.
aird on twilley:
"Liz is a local product who is very proud to represent her home state. She was very straight forward with us from the time we arrived in College Park that this was her dream school and she wanted to represent Maryland. I think if she continues to train hard, stays healthy and works on her game she will help us a great deal. We need her to hit the ground running and we believe she will be up for the challenge."
Before Maryland:
Four-year letterwinner at Geneva High School … set the single-season (815) and single-game (49) digs records at Geneva … three-time Defensive Player of the Year (2012-14) … two-time team MVP (2013, 14) … named All-Area by the Kane County Chronicle and Daily Herald in 2013 and 2014 … tabbed to the All-Conference team in 2013 and 2014 … team captain in 2014 … named Chicago Tribune Athlete of the Month in 2014 … earned All-State honors in 2014 … also lettered in basketball … also played for Club Fusion … named the Wisconsin Dells Showcase MVP in 2014.
personal:
Daughter of Rob and Gina Wicisnki … father played football at Northern Illinois (1981-84) while mother played volleyball for the Huskies (1983-86) … has two sisters, Lauren and Jessica … Lauren played volleyball at Michigan State … Jessica plays volleyball at Quincy University … chose Maryland for the great atmosphere … plans to major in business.
aird on wicinski:
"In my opinion, Kelsey is one of the best prep liberos in the country. She comes from a fantastic family of athletes, a great high school and a tremendous club. She knows what it takes to compete for championships. Kelsey is another player with a very high volleyball IQ; she can handle the ball at a very high level and can serve tough. She will make an immediate impact on our program and have the opportunity to do some great things."
