Maryland is bringing in Samantha Snyder, a transfer coming in from American University. The 5’9″ setter from Manhattan Beach, California will be a sophomore in 2017 and have three years left of eligibility.
“Sam comes from a great volleyball background, including an exceptional high school and club programs,” Maryland head coach Steve Aird said in the release. “She is a hard worker and a good setter, and we are excited to add depth to that position. We will experiment with systems this spring and it’s wonderful to have her in the gym.”
Even if Snyder does not receive much playing time as a setter, that depth that Aird talked about could be utilized. She played in 104 sets for an American team last year that won the Patriot League and went to the 2016 NCAA Tournament. Snyder was used in a depth role there as well, primarily as a serving-specialist who totaled 27 aces to go along with her 34 digs and 22 assists on the year. In late September against Bucknell, she even threw out a career-high five aces in the match.
Playing in the rugged Big Ten, Maryland had a tough time finding traction last year. They went just 12-20 and 4-16 in conference play. However, the Terrapins had the 16th-ranked recruiting class – per PrepVolleyball – in 2016, making last year’s team skilled but also young. Now in 2017, Maryland has signed the program’s first ever top 10 recruiting class. Snyder adds to the spry and talented Terps in 2017, as they look to vault up in the Big Ten standings with a youth movement.
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