April 15, 2010
Final Notes 
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Student-athletes come in to athletic programs looking to make a difference, looking to add to the storied traditions. The individuals who become a part of the University of Maryland women's basketball program are unique and have that extra little something that makes them a permanent fixture in the halls of Comcast Center. That extra little something that makes fans and members of the community remember their names for years to come.
Former Terrapins Emery Wallace and Lori Bjork are two of those special individuals that impressed hundreds of thousands of fans each year. They were the seniors and leaders of the 2009-10 team but the careers of Wallace and Bjork are unique: each only had one year of court time. Time may have been short, but their impact was exceptional.
Emery Wallace
Wallace, a 6-1 forward from Roanoke, Va., joined the Terrapin family as a first team all-state member after being named first team all-district and all-region three times. She accumulated 1,497 points, grabbed 580 rebounds and had 106 three-pointers. She led her teams to a combined 91-10 record and three state tournament semifinals. Wallace showed promise and enthusiasm but her debut was hampered by an ACL injury during the preseason, forcing her to take a medical redshirt.
In 2007-08 she made her debut against Delaware and went on to post a career-high 18 points against Loyola a week later. Wallace played in 12 games that season and helped her team to its 22nd post season appearance with a trip to the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately the next season saw injury for Wallace again, her third ACL injury, sidelining her for the rest of her collegiate career.
Wallace didn't let it get her down and blossomed into a new role as a vocal and motivational leader for her teammates. She will probably be most remembered for her enthusiasm and leadership role from the bench. Wallace dressed in a jersey decorated with motivational words written by her teammates. Although not on the floor, Wallace's enthusiasm and dedication played a crucial role helping lead her team to the 2009 ACC Regular Season and ACC Tournament Title.
This past season, Emery spent significant time giving back to the local community. She volunteered with the Special Olympics, the Riderwood Community, and local schools as representative of Maryland Women's Basketball. In her community outreach, Emery created relationships and gained valuable hands on experience that will help lead her to success and many new opportunities after Maryland.
Graduating this May with a degree in criminal justice, Emery hopes to pursue a career in sports broadcasting and coaching basketball.
Lori Bjork Bjork transferred in from the University of Illinois during the 2008-09 season. Due to transfer rules the Johnston, Iowa, native was forced to sit on the sidelines. The talented 5-11 guard left a legacy with the Illini as a 1,000 point scorer and Illinois' record holder for made threes in a career. She also owns their best career three-point shooting percentage.
Bjork was able to take to the court this past season for the first time. As the only senior and player with the most experience amongst the roster which was made up of nine freshmen and sophomores, Bjork knew she was to lead the team in any way she could. Her accuracy from long ranges on the court made an immediate impact.
Bjork scored Maryland's first points of the 2009-2010 season, netting a three-pointer in the Terps home opener in November, her debut at Comcast Center. Always in the gym, she never stopped working on her shot and her hard work paid off.
In just one season with the Terps, Bjork made 85 three-pointers ranking her 2nd in the all-time Maryland senior record books. She was second in the Atlantic Coast Conference in three pointers made and in three-point percentage.
Bjork led the Terps in points nine times, assists four times, and in steals on seven occasions. She tallied double-figures in 22 games, and a season-high 22 points against Virginia Tech to score a total of 382 points for the Terps this season.
Bjork is finishing her Masters in Exercise Physiology and has been named ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American second team in 2007 and 2010 and was named to the ACC All-Academic team this year. She was also an All-ACC Honorable Mention and named to the Terrapin Classic All-Tournament team. Bjork's tireless dedication to improvement made her a great role model for her young team.
For more information and up-to-date news on your Maryland women's basketball program visit www.umterps.com and www.MarylandWomensBasketball.com.
