The Start of a New Season

Today was media day, and that signals the start of a new season of Terrapins women's basketball!

My name is Brian Kaufman, I'll be the crew chief for the women's basketball team this year. I think I speak for everyone who will help out with the broadcasts this year when I say that we are thrilled to be back for another year!

Anyways, let's get to the real stuff: this year's team.

Sorry for the bluriness, its a cell phone picture but the roster is:
From left to right:

Front row: Kim Rodgers, Lori Bjork, Emery Wallace, Dara Taylor, Anjale Barrett

Back Row: Jackie Nared, Tianna Hawkins, Lynetta Kizer, Yemi Oyefuwa, Essence Townsend, Diandra Tchatchoung


Obviously, there are major holes to fill. Four of the five starters from last year's Elite 8 team are gone. Last season's ACC Rookie of the Year Lynetta Kizer is the only returning starter, and she'll only be a sophomore. The team lost two of the top players in program history in Kristi Toliver and Marissa Coleman, whose jerseys now hang from the Comcast Center rafters.

What's in the past is in the past. This year's team is full with bright young stars that will surely make for an exciting season. Nine of the ten players on this year's team are freshmen or sophomores. The one exception? She's Lori Bjork, the grad student who will play her first game in a Terrapin uniform this season. She'll be expected to take on a big leadership role for the Terps this year.

Youth is clearly the factor, as Coach Frese said at today's press conference. Frese noted that the best way to become ACC ready is to get that game experience. She also commented that she likes the schedule, including the impressive number of home games (the team hasn't lost at Comcast in two years) and the amount of time the Terps will play on television.


It should be a very exciting season. Be sure to listen in on WMUCSports.com all year and continue to check out the blog! We look forward to interacting with you all year.


Brian Kaufman