When Kaitlin Duff found out from another teammate that she was named National Player of the Week by womenslacrosse.com, it was hard for her to act in any other way but surprised.
"I didn't even know they had those kinds of things, so I was really surprised," Duff said. "I definitely was not expecting it."
The honor, which Duff received two weeks ago, highlights the national attention this freshman has already garnered. A midfielder for the No. 3 women's lacrosse team (6-1, 2-1 ACC), Duff was one of the key players in Virginia's comeback win against No. 8 Syracuse when she caused a turnover that led to a goal to tie the game and later won a draw only to score again and take the lead for good.
Growing up in Bethesda, Md., Duff picked up the sport in fifth grade. After attending a few lacrosse camps, she fell in love with the sport and joined a travel team to further improve her skills.
"My sophomore year was when they taught us how to get recruited, so we went to different tournaments," Duff said. "I was looking at UNC, Georgetown, and Duke, but I really loved [Virginia] and I loved the coaches and the team, so when I got an offer I immediately accepted. I think it's a great combination academically, socially and athletically."
Duff racked up a number of honors in numerous sports while attending Stone Ridge High School. She was included in the first team United Soccer Leagues (USL), named All-American for two consecutive years (2005 and 2006), and received an honorable mention All-American in 2004. Duff was also three-time first-team All-County.
Duff has adjusted well despite the differences between playing high school lacrosse and the intense Division I level of play."She's transitioned to the college game well," Virginia coach Julie Myers said. "I think her stick skills have gotten better, she's gotten stronger with her speed. She's become a really great defender because she's so quick with her feet. She's just done a nice job of catching up to the college game."
Despite a recent loss this past weekend to No. 2 North Carolina, Duff and the Virginia squad still have high hopes for the team. Aside from her personal desire to improve on the defensive aspect of the game, one of the team goals Duff is aiming for is the national championship title -- a goal the team achieved two years ago.
In order to get even better, though, Duff says she follows the lead of the upper classmen -- players she sees as role models.
"I look up to all the [seniors] so much because they're all so good, and they've really made the adjustment a lot easier," Duff said. "Not only the seniors but all the upperclassmen, just watching what they do and trying to do it."
Duff and the Cavaliers will look to continue their success this Wednesday night when they face William & Mary at Klöckner Field.
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