“Potential” will be the word of the season for this year’s Terrapin volleyball team.

Coming off an impressive 2005 campaign, the Terps enter the season with hopes of an unprecedented fourth straight ACC title.

Last year, the Terps finished with a 28-5 (18-4 ACC) record while making an appearance in their third straight NCAA tournament before losing to Louisville in the second round. It was the third consecutive year the Terps won the first game, but lost the second in the tournament.

The Terps return four starters to this year’s squad. Coach Janice Kruger returns for her 18th season and is the first to admit this team doesn’t look as good on paper as last year’s team.

“We aren’t. We have some big shoes to fill in the middle,” Kruger said. “We have a lot of potential; the players are eager, motivated and hungry to play.”

The shoes of All-ACC middle blockers Rachel Wagener and Stephanie Smith along with libero Stephanie Doiron will be tough to fill.

Wagener led the ACC in blocks with 1.61 per game and finished second in hitting percentage. Smith directly followed Wagener in the ACC with a .370 hitting percentage, and defensive specialist Doiron finished sixth in the conference in digs.

Red shirt freshmen Kathleen Wilson and Meredith Doyle, along with freshman Katie Usher, will try to fill the void left by Wagener and Smith at middle blocker. But it could be junior Mary Beth Brown (6-foot-3) who will lead the Terps’ blocking attack.

The Terps will rely on their most dynamic players – juniors Jade Brown and co-captain Beth Gillming – to guide the way. They were both selected for the 2006 pre-season All-ACC team, and both have seen significant playing time since their freshman years.

Sophomore Maggie Schmelzle hopes to continue where she left off after a sensational freshman season. She played in all 122 games while leading the Terps in serving. She earned a spot on the All-ACC Freshman team.

Freshman Hayley Hanson could see time at libero and will add depth to the setting position. Aside from the colorful jersey the libero wears, the position is most known for being a defensive specialist.

After Saturday’s scrimmage, Krueger was excited about the team’s progress and potential despite its youth.

“We played real well. I was encouraged with the play today,” Kruger said. “We still have a lot of improving, but our young players are looking very well.”

Like many of the past three seasons, the Terps are not one of the favorites in the ACC. Duke, Virginia, Georgia Tech and North Carolina are all picked to finish in front of the Terps in the ACC Volleyball preseason poll.

But, also as in the past, Kruger isn’t worried about the preseason polls.

“[We] have to go out and beat everyone,” she said. “I really don’t care where they put us.”

With Kruger at the helm, an ACC championship is always possible. This year, there’s a potential roadblock with inexperience. The Terps realize their inexperience will make it challenging to win their fourth straight conference ACC title.

It’s a challenge they are readily accepting.

Contact reporter John Sullivan at sports@dbk.umd.edu.