Maryland women?s basketball coach Brenda Frese has been on the recruiting trail this summer looking for the next great player who will help the Terrapins remain a national power.
Maryland advanced to the Elite Eight this past season, losing to Stanford to finish 33-4.
The Terrapins will have a much different look this coming season following the departure of six players, including WNBA rookies Crystal Langhorne and Laura Harper.
What are your expectations for this year?s team after losing so many key contributors from the 2006 national championship team? You never know how a team will fare until practice begins. It will have a different look now with the focus now being mainly on Marissa [Coleman] and Kristi [Toliver]. Players like that will allow the youth to come along easier.
What type of leadership do you expect from Coleman and Toliver? The great part of building a tradition at Maryland is that players on this team can learn from their teammates. We?ve had great leadership in the past and now the baton has been passed. I expect Marissa and Kristi to set the example for the rest of the team.
How do you think playing for the U.S. under-18 national team this summer will benefit incoming freshman forward Lynetta Kizer? We?ve had a number of players compete on various U.S. teams, and it has always been a big help. It teaches players what to expect at a higher level, and it exposes them to all different types of players from around the world.
Has recruiting been more difficult for you this summer following the birth of your twins, Markus and Tyler, in February? My heart is definitely at home when I have to go out on the road, and it was much different leaving this year. Luckily, I have a great support system that allows me to balance everything.
