Between 2002 and 2005, the Virginia field hockey program was never better than mediocre. For this three-year period, the number zero appears on the stat sheets in numerous categories, including ACC wins and NCAA Tournament appearances. Not once did the Cavaliers achieve better than a .500 record, nor did they escape from the cellar in the ACC.
Enter head coach Michelle Madison and star players Inge Kaars Sijpesteijn and Traci Ragukas in 2006, and the year immediately carried a different tune. A 14-8 record, an ACC victory, an NCAA Tournament bid (including a victory in the first round) and a top 10 ranking at year's end erased all memory of the previous four tumultuous seasons. Madison, Sijpesteijn, Ragukas and the senior class spear-headed Virginia's sudden ascent and were rewarded accordingly: Madison with a national coach of the year award, Sijpesteijn with a spot in the first-team All-American and Ragukas with a spot on the National Rookie Squad. All three return to a team that, ranked No. 8 in the nation preseason, now threatens to win the national championship.
The success that Madison brought to Virginia had a lot to do with what the team calls "the system," a reference to Virginia's tactical approach. Learning the system involves knowing how, when and where to attack and press opponents. Madison must re-teach it this year for the benefit of the freshman class. During this preseason, however, the new players are learning the tactic much faster, since returning players can assist Madison in teaching the system.
"This year if we see something and the coach isn't exactly watching, we can be like, 'This is where you're supposed to be, this is what you're supposed to do,'" Ragukas said. "Last year we couldn't do that, because we didn't know ourselves."
The system is one of many important qualities Madison brings to the team. By all accounts, Madison seems to have a way with the players that inspires a winning attitude.
"She knows how to pump us up, she knows how to get our heads in the game, keep us in the game," Ragukas said. "She knows what to say, she's always there keeping us going, telling us we can work harder, we can do this."
As instrumental as Madison has been to Virginia's newfound prominence, Ragukas and Sijpesteijn have proven to be invaluable. Combined, the two scored 29 of the team's 53 goals last season while also leading a vastly improved Cavalier defense. With Ragukas and Sijpesteijn as the enforcers on the field, Virginia is expecting a successful 2007 season.
"Their performance is consistent day in and day out," Madison said. "They can run the offense, they run the defense. They're very creative so they create a lot, and they're great passers. They just keep the urgency."
Although Ragukas and Sijpesteijn will lead the charge for the Cavaliers, the rest of the team knows that everyone will be counted on to contribute. If the Cavaliers hope to reach the ultimate goal of playing in a national championship, other players will have to step into leadership roles.
"I think our whole team has to know that they all need to step up," Ragukas said. "It's not just two players out there"
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