COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Head coach Adam Hughes and the Maryland volleyball program announced two additions to the Terrapins 2019 signing class on Thursday. Outside hitter Rebekah Rath and defensive specialist Lexy Finnerty join middle blocker Cara Lewis to make up the Terrapins 2019 class.
"We're really excited about this 2019 class," said head coach Adam Hughes. "Cara, Lexy and Rebekah fill a lot of our needs in hopes that we can take this program another step forward. We bring in more depth in a variety of positions and I'm looking forward to watching this group compete in our gym this August. I think they will fit in with the culture and vision we have for our program, and I'm excited about what they can accomplish in the next four years."
Rath, a Altamonte Springs, Florida native, is a three-time Division 9A Florida Offensive Player of the Year, totaling a combined 742 kills over her freshman and sophomore seasons at Oviedo High School. Rath earned First Team All-Conference honors in each of 2015, 2016 and 2017, with her 2015 honors coming as an eighth grader. The outsider hitter was a captain for the club team, Top Select, winning the and being named the MVP of the NIT Triple Crown in 2017 and receiving the best club record in 2018. In 2017, Rath's club team finished second in the 17 Open Division a the USA Volleyball Junior National Championship. Originally a 2020 signee, Rath is finishing high school and reclassifying to be a member of the 2019 class.
"Bekah is the first student-athlete I've worked with that's had the ability to reclassify her graduating class," said Hughes. "Not only has she excelled in the classroom, causing her to be able to join us this summer, a full year early, but she's also become a standout player for one of the top club teams in the country. She's put in a lot of individual work with one of the best coaches in the country, and the impact has been massive. I believe Bekah is going to have a very bright future here in College Park, and I can't wait for her to join us this summer."
Finnerty, an Encinitas, California native, comes in after serving as a defensive specialist for Santa Fe Christian (freshman year) and La Costa Canyon for her sophomore through senior seasons, helping lead her team to 84 wins over her high school career. A captain on her team in both her junior and senior seasons, Finnerty helped lead her high school squad to a runner up finish in 2016. Finnerty played club volleyball for the Wave Volleyball Club, who were the JVA Champions in 2017 and finished in third place in the SCVA Qualifier and the Northeast Qualifier in 2017.
"Lexy comes to College Park from one of the top club programs in the country where she's learned a great feel for the game," said Hughes. "She's got a great first touch and she's fearless in her approach to playing defense. Not only is Lexy a great athlete, she's also done exceptionally well in the classroom. I'm excited to see what Lexy can achieve both on and off the court here at the University of Maryland."
Rath and Finnerty join Maryland native, Cara Lewis, to make up Maryland's 2019 class. Lewis, who signed in November, has been a four-year starter for nearby Bowie High School leading the Bulldogs in blocks for all four years of her high school career and standing second on the team in kills over that time.
Coming off an 18-14 season and a program-best nine Big Ten wins, the trio of incoming freshmen will join a young, talented Terrapin nucleus that features First Team All-Big Ten performer Erika Pritchard, three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Allegra Rivas and the Big Ten aces leader Katie Myers.
