It was hard to miss senior Kate Kaiser and junior Meghan Walters at Duke's women's lacrosse games last year. Each of the girls was forced to sit out 2002, as Kaiser tore her ACL and Walters had a nagging leg injury. The two were still a conspicuous presence, to say the least, as they roamed--and often hobbled--along the sidelines, barking out orders and encouraging words to healthy teammates. But too often, Kaiser and Walters were forced to console their teammates after what became a painful 2002 season.
"Last year we made it to the quarterfinals," head coach Kerstin Kimel said. "And truthfully, last year's group considering all the injuries we had--and it wasn't just Kate and Meghan; it was Amanda Hughes; it was Kristy Dirks; it was Courtney Fisher; it was Cheryl Lynn Horton; it was so many kids--we probably overachieved getting as far as we did."
Walters and Kaiser, both All-Americans, watched their teammates fight their way to a respectable No. 9 national ranking with a 9-7 record. And though that may have been Duke's hardest-earned mark, Walters and Kaiser promise to take the Blue Devils to very lofty heights.
"I'm looking [to be a] first-team All-American," Walters said. "But the accolades are not as big of a deal for me as team goals. I mean, obviously we want to win a national championship; 110 percent I believe in it. I believe in everybody in the team and I believe we can definitely do it."
Walters, a member of the U.S. Developmental Squad, is the backbone of a stellar defensive unit. As a sophomore, Walters caused 24 turnovers and picked up 34 ground balls. Kimel acknowledges that Walters is still getting herself acclimated to playing again, and that her return is critical to the team's success.
"She still has some adjusting to do in terms of getting back into the swing [of things]," Kimel said. "But she understands the game really well, and she understands defense and she's a really good leader back there for us. Having her brings our defense to another level, which is exciting."
And though defense wins championships, the all-around prowess of Kaiser is equally important to Duke's success. Kaiser, who was sidelined after tearing her ACL in the first day of practice last spring, was so dominant in her first three seasons that she was named to the 50th Anniversary Women's Lacrosse Team, joining coach Kimel, who was also named to the list for her All-American days at Maryland.
Kaiser is the rare player who is both a prolific scorer and a terrific defender. She is currently third all-time on Duke's scoring list with 116 goals and fifth in points with 130. The Tewaaraton Trophy, which annually honors the nation's top women's lacrosse player, is still on Kaiser's to-do list. She is one of the favorites in 2003.
"I just want her to have a great senior year, and if she has a great senior year I think our team will as well," Kimel said.
With Walters and Kaiser back in the mix, along with a third All-American in Lauren Gallagher, the Blue Devils will be a force this season. The rest of the nation is well aware of Duke's potential, as is Kimel's team. But all Duke wants is to continue improving to reach the final level--the one accomplishment that has evaded the program and it's two once-fallen stars, Walters and Kaiser--a national championship.
"To look around and see those girls back on the field, they motivate so much that everyone takes their game to the next level," Gallagher said.
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