SENIOR DAY
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Maryland women’s basketball honors four unique contributors on senior day Chloe Bibby, Katie Benzan, Channise Lewis and Zoe Young were recognized before and during the Terps’ Feb. 6 game against Nebraska. By Varun Shankar | @ByVarunShankar | Staff writer
they’re there. Frese praised Lewis’s loyalty as a player who’s been a Terp for five years, using up her extra year of eligibility to return for one last ride, just like Benzan and Bibby. Although she no longer takes the court for her team, she’s always there to give “great nuggets.” Those nuggets have been an integral aspect for the team, with Lewis using her knowledge of the game as a point guard even when she can’t play. “It’s like another coach, just her basketball IQ and her wisdom of the game,” Bibby said. “It’s all the time whether it’s in practice or it’s in games she’s always there and it’s a great asset to our team.” Young — also a former point guard — passes on her wisdom to the team as well. She’s had a key role in practices as a student assistant, stepping in at times to play with the scout team to help Maryland prepare while using her platform to advocate for others. “She’s been very active in a lot of causes that she’s very passionate about,” Frese said. “She uses her voice with our team, something that we really value.” The seniors were a part of the Big Ten’s best team BRENDA FREESE poses for a photo with Katie Benzan, Channise Lewis, Zoe Young and Chloe Bibby during their senior day ceremony on Feb. 6, 2021. julia nikhinson/the diamondback a season ago and although some have had their roles It’s easy to see the contributions Chloe Bibby and matchups. shifted, they continue to be important to their teamKatie Benzan have made for Maryland women’s basket“She’s a matchup nightmare,” coach Brenda Frese mates, whether they were recruited and played here for ball. Just listen for the cheers every time one of them said. “Her versatility obviously to stretch the floor for five years like Lewis or came from Harvard a year and knocks down a three-pointer. The pair were two of us, pick and pop, but then just her toughness when she a half ago like Benzan. the four Terps honored before Sunday’s 80-65 home goes inside… I think she’s a really difficult matchup.” victory over Nebraska. Benzan is on the short list of greatest Terp shooters Benzan and Bibby received a standing ovation from of all time. In her first year at Maryland, she scored the the Xfinity Center crowd as they checked out for the last third-most triples in the country and shot a blistertime late in the fourth quarter and hugged each member ing 50 percent from behind the arc. This season, she’s Through these two years being here all of the Terps’ bench before they sat down. continued that strong shooting and has been a reliable of them have become my sisters and I’m “To hear the love and support… I can really feel that point guard option for Frese. just so grateful for Coach B to bring me I found a place where I belong and where I’m loved,” The other two seniors, Channise Lewis and Zoe Young, into this family... I just can’t thank her Benzan said. rarely get standing ovations from the fans. Neither has “We’ve gone through it all together,” Bibby said. played a game this season, but both remain key parts and my teammates, for the memories “We’ve hit a lot of adversity together, the COVID year of the team. that we’ve made and for… the memories really brought us closer.” Both suffered torn ACLs that ended their Maryland we’re going to make.” While four Terps were honored, only two played on careers. Young retired before the season to become a the court. The other two’s additions to the team aren’t student assistant and Lewis announced that due to as easy to see, but they’ve all stepped into important challenges in her rehab she would not return for her roles over the season. final year of eligibility. Benzan and Bibby played integral roles in Maryland’s “Their journeys and their paths have not been easy,” GUARD Big Ten regular season and tournament championships. Frese said. “They’ve had a ton of adversity as they fought On Sunday against the Cornhuskers, Bibby scored a through injuries that tabled their careers.” team-high 21 points, continuing a strong stretch where It’s harder to see the duo’s contributions, simply she’s averaged over 16 points per game in the last eight because they haven’t been able to suit up and play, but
KATIE BENZAN
