After assembling the No. 16 recruiting class in the country last season,Maryland volleyball announced perhaps an even better 2017 group on Wednesday during National Signing Day.
Maryland officially signed four players and expects to add two more in the near future.
Four of the newcomers are Under Armor All-Americans, a mark tied for best in the country with Wisconsin, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska and Illinois. Each of those teams made the NCAA tournament last year, while the Terps went 15-19 and missed the postseason for the 10th straight campaign.
Even though Maryland is 10-16 this year, outside hitter Gia Milana said Sunday the team has improved during Big Ten play. And with an influx of talent next year, the players hope to earn a tournament berth soon.
“It’s amazing [to bring in such a great class],” middle blocker Hailey Murray said. “They’re going to come in, and they’re going to be absorbed into our family right away.”
Last year, Milana became the program’s first-ever First Team Under Armour All-American. She now leads the squad with 3.99 kills per set, ranking fourth in the Big Ten.
Coach Steve Aird said signing Milana helped achieve a strong 2017 recruiting class because other high school players took notice of the move and began viewing Maryland as a potential destination.
“It started an investigative process where [recruits] said, ‘[Milana] is really good and she had every option, so why did she end up there?'” Aird said. “When people got to know us, the floodgates opened.”
Outside hitter Sam Drechsel, who Aird labeled a “big-time recruit,” headlines Maryland’s 2017 class. She is the program’s second-ever first team All-American, and is the No. 23 high school player in the nation, according to PrepVolleyball.
Outside hitter Erika Pritchard is ranked No. 29 in the country and was a second-team Under Armor All-American. Meanwhile, setter Chloe Prejean was a third team All-American, and defensive specialist Sam Burgio was an Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American and 2015 New York Gatorade Player of the Year.
In addition, the Terps added outside hitter Jada Gardner — the No. 68 player in the country — and outside hitter Lexi Alden.
Dreschel, Burgio and Alden will enroll at Maryland early to participate in spring workouts.
“It’s a huge deal,” Aird said of the importance of having a heralded class. “Next year we’re going to start four or five kids who are pretty gnarly.”
The Terps also anticipate a boost from middle blocker Katie Myers next year. She was a touted 2016 recruit who missed all but one set this season due to an ACL injury.
Aird said he believes Myers could make a difference going forward.
“She’s going to get the ball a ton,” Aird said. “I have a ton of belief in that kid. She’s a cornerstone for me as a kid that I want in this program.”
With six incoming freshman, as well as Myers, set to make an impact next season, Maryland expects to become competitive in the Big Ten.
After being at a physical disadvantage against ranked teams this season, Aird thinks contests with Big Ten opponents will be “apples to apples” next campaign.
“It will be the first time since I’ve been here where when you look at the team we will look as physical and we will be as talented [as conference rivals],” Aird said. “The hard work over the last few years of building this thing will pay off to create a really great product.”
