The end of the season for the Terrapin volleyball team marks a time for final farewells to senior stalwarts, but it’s also the time when high school seniors sign commitments.
In the past few years, the Terps traveled to Cincinnati to bring in top-notch players, including members of this year’s roster: senior Beth Gillming, junior Maggie Schmelzle and freshman Michelle Kenning. This recruiting class has more of a local flavor. The Terps added a pair of front-row outside hitters, Maddi Lee from River Hill High School and Kaitlin Zimmer from North Hagerstown High School.
While a local recruiting class was often the exception in the past, it has started to become commonplace with the team. The Terps have eight players on the roster who are from Washington, Maryland or Virginia.
“The Ohio line is still there, but this time was different,” coach Janice Kruger said. “I knew them both and the recruiting season starts so much earlier. I had the opportunity to watch them and there is definitely tons of potential with them. They are both from the area and have always longed and dreamt to be Terrapins – there is a lot of power in that.”
Zimmer is a power hitter in the mold of senior Jade Brown and Kenning. According to Kruger, Zimmer has an exceptional wrist snap, which leads to emphatic kills that can oftentimes peg opposing players before they can set up for a dig.
Lee, on the other hand, has a game more like Gillming’s. Lee can make plays all over the court and is a very versatile player.
“She was one of those kids everyone knew would be good. She is a great all-around player and she has great size and skills,” Kruger said. “She is one of the top players in the area and has a very strong attack.”
While many student-athletes choose to go to schools far from home, freshman setter and D.C. native Rachel Profit said the idea of going to a local college was part of the allure for her.
“I loved being a local. I love that my parents can come to my games and that I can go home any time,” Profit said. “It’s really the best of both worlds. I know both of them [Lee and Zimmer]. They are very close to their families so it’s great that they can stay local.
“They are both great players and they have been to a lot of our games and gotten to meet the team, which will make it easier to assimilate in. They will help make us better and help our future.”
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