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Bjork to play at Maryland

Posted by: Tony Bleill

Friday, July 25, 2008 10:04 AM

Former Illini guard Lori Bjork has enrolled at Maryland and will continue her basketball career at one of the country's premier programs.

Bjork's mother, Louila, said her daughter has found an ideal situation to finish her career. Lori Bjork will sit out the 2008-09 season before completing her eligibility in '09-2010.

"This is going to be a totally different experience, a wonderful opportunity for Lori," Louila Bjork said.

Maryland is coached by Brenda Frese, whose sister, Marsha, was Illinois' associate head coach under Theresa Grentz. Marsha Frese and Bjork developed a strong relationship at Illinois, but Louila Bjork said Lori had not met Brenda Frese prior to the recruiting process this spring.

Maryland won a national championship in 2006 and has remained a top 10 team. All-America guard Kristi Toliver and forward Marissa Coleman return this season, and the Terrapins will enter 2008-09 as one of the ACC's top teams and a Final Four contender.

Louila Bjork said the Maryland coaching staff was the biggest factor in Lori's decision.

"It's a breath of fresh air," Louila Bjork said. "Even before she went out there, Brenda wrote postcards to (Lori's father) Alan and me, saying how excited she was about recruiting Lori. The day Lori moved in out there -- even though Brenda was on the road recruiting -- her husband showed up and helped Lori and Alan move into the apartment. We're extremely impressed. Their basketball operations guy, Rhet (Wierzba), has just been a real hard worker trying to smooth over all the transition things."

How much will Bjork play? That's a good question. Toliver will graduate after the season. The other starting guard is rising sophomore Marah Strickland. Beyond that, the Terrapins' young guards saw little playing time last winter.