Every week, a member of the women's tennis team will write a short post about their experiences as a tennis player here at Maryland. It will serve as a way for Maryland fans to get a more up-close look at the life of a student-athlete. We're calling it "The Changeover", a term that describes when the players sit down between certain games, rest, and mentally prepare themselves for the next game. This "changeover" will be more extended, but the posts will profile the same aspects of an in-match changeover; a look inside mental and physical preparation needed to play tennis.  We hope you enjoy it! 

Greetings from Terps Tennis!

After our first weekend of competition, it is hard to believe that it is the same seven girls that arrived on campus two weeks ago. With four freshmen seeing Maryland for the first time, the past two weeks have been challenging, exciting and extremely funny. When arriving on campus, before they could even get over their jet lag, there were already a lot of things that needed to be done, including getting ready for our first match. Luckily, being on the tennis team means you already have six friends who will be your family for the next four years. Somewhere in-between practices and helping each other to get everything done, we turned into a team without even realizing it.

After hours of orientation, questions about, well, pretty much everything, and less than two weeks together, it was time for our first match. Going into the match with five freshmen you have no idea what to expect It was great to see how well all the girls fought and competed. After our 7-0 win over Howard, we had a nice team dinner at Noodles. After a lot of laughs, a few interesting stories and a lot more questions, it was time get some rest before the first week of classes.

On Friday, we had our second match against UMBC and the team once again played their hearts out and won the match 7-0. Now, after a very successful first weekend, it is time for a few days of school before we leave for Boston on Thursday. As excited as we are that we got to start the season off on a high note, we realize that this is just the foundation of what promises to be a great season. While we are working hard on the court, in the gym (and in the classroom of course), we realize how lucky we are to have the opportunity to be part of this team, and together we are going to make this journey an unforgettable experience.

 

GO TERPS!!!

Welma Luus

Hey Terp Fans!

It's been a crazy week filled with excitement! This week all the students returned back to school and the second semester quickly began! The first few days of school are always exciting and fun! I love finding out what my professors are like and I'm always excited to see who's in my class!

Head coach Brenda Frese has always stressed the important of giving back to her players and to her staff. Frese has talked extensively about wanting to build people of character and develop people that want to give to those around them. Recently, the Terrapins had a chance to give on the spur of the moment.

The Terps traveled to Blacksburg, Va. the weekend of Jan. 12-13. They checked into the The Inn at Virginia Tech and stayed until it was time to leave for their Sunday afternoon game across campus. As they left, director of operations Chris Campbell got word that one of the hotel's housekeepers had given birth that previous Friday. While in the hospital, her rented home had burned to the ground, leaving her and her husband and family with nothing. Without even thinking, numerous members of the team gave up what cash they had and clothing items to leave behind.

The athletic department received a letter from The Inn at Virginia Tech's general manager, Tom Shaver. He wrote, "Their generosity and caring act has touched us all and we congratulate you for having such a fine group of young women on your team."

Terrapin great Keli Smith-Puzo is retiring from the U.S. National Team, after 10 years of playing at the top level. The mother of two played in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.

A three-time All-American and national champion at Maryland, Smith-Puzo played in two World Cups, 179 international matches and two Pan American Games.

"From the day Keli Smith set foot in College Park, she had an unmatched competitive standard," head coach Missy Meharg said. " From preseason fitness runs, to ACC and NCAA championships, followed up up by  postseason celebrations, No. 13 was determined to win and have fun doing it.  With the heart of a champion and the daughter of two great sports fans and athletes  (Neil and Sharon Smith), Keli and her Terrapin teammates enjoyed some of the greatest Maryland hockey times in history. On behalf of the Maryland department of athletics and every hockey Terp, a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Keli and to an amazing career in the FIH."

For more on Smith and her legacy with the U.S. National Team, log on to http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Field-Hockey/Features/2013/January/28/Smith-Puzo-hangs-up-field-hockey-stick.aspx.

Hey Terp Fans!

After our strong season opener at NC State, we were back in the gym and ready for more!

SYDNEY - Terrapins Maxine Fluharty and Katie Gerzabek are both with the U.S. Junior National Team in Sydney, Australia for the Australian Youth Olympic Festival. Team USA fell to Australia, 4-2, after leading 2-1 at halftime.

"Being in this type of atmosphere is completely unreal. As an athlete, we get a first glimpse of what it is like to compete in an Olympic games," Gerzabek said. "Living in a village, being a part of the opening ceremonies and competing against some of the best athletes in the world is truly amazing. I have only been here for three days and have already met so many different people from all over the world. The people I have met differ in many ways: sport, country, culture, and language, yet we all share the same dream: to be an Olympian in Rio 2016."

"Having the letters USA on your jersey is such an honorable feeling. You are a part of something so much bigger than yourself, you are representing not just you but your entire nation. 

Hey Terp Fans!

It's been an exceptional week for the Terps here in College Park! The start of season is my favorite time of year!  This year is especially exciting because it's my last year of gymnastics.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -  Terrapin field hockey defender Ali McEvoy, Terp alum Meredith Long, and the U.S. Senior Women's National Indoor Team won the RohrMax Cup after three days of competitive international play in Perchtoldsdorf, Austria this week. McEvoy led Team USA in scoring with nine goals and scored in each of its five games.

"Ali McEvoy has always been so talented at the indoor game," Maryland head coach Missy Meharg said. "Her hand speed and quick vision could make her one of the most dangerous indoor players in the world. I am not surprised that Meredith Long has found her way back onto the USA indoor team. She is a fierce competitor and dominant leader for team USA. The Indoor game has always been a vital part of Maryland's yearly plan. We are very proud of both Meredith and Ali."

 The U.S. faced teams from Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic from January 4-6 and finished 4-1 overall, including a 3-2 victory against Slavia Prag in the championship game on Sunday.

"This is the first-ever international tournament the U.S. Senior Women's Indoor Team has won," said Nigel Traverso, U.S. Indoor Team Manager. "The RohrMax Cup is a very competitive tournament and we are very pleased with the results. We now have set high expectations to win the Pan Am Indoor Cup in 2015 and qualify for the World Cup. The team will venture to Argentina for a few test matches in the coming weeks."

The U.S. opened up the tournament with a strong 6-1 victory over Austria's U-21 squad. McEvoy recorded three goals in the game. The squad posted a 4-2 win in the following game against Rot-Weiss Wettingen, as McEvoy scored again.

On Saturday, the U.S. picked up its third straight win against SV Arminen, 4-1. The squad knocked in all four goals in the first half and maintained the lead until the game clock expired. The U.S. fell to Slavia Prag, 6-1, its second game of the day. 

The U.S. faced Slavia Prag in the championship game on Sunday, with McEvoy notching another hat trick. The U.S. went into halftime with a 2-1 lead over Slavia Prag. Both goals were scored by McEvoy. The second half started off with another tally by McEvoy to put Team USA up 3-1, but Slavia Prag refused to give up and pulled their keeper with just under eight minutes remaining in the match. They scored to come within one but it wasn't enough and the U.S. closed out the match, concluding the Austria Tour with a 3-2 win and the championship title.

-Terps-

 

Hey Terp Fans!

I hope everyone enjoyed the end of holiday break! The Gym Terps have been working extremely hard in preparation for our first meet of the season.

Hey Terp Fans!

I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday! I know I did as well as all of the other Gym Terps! It was so nice to be able to head home for some relaxing family time.  I know the Gym Terps and I spent a lot of our time catching up on some needed sleep after exams were over!