“She never really complained about the injury,” junior Sam Gridley said. “She worked really hard, and she came back. Now she just steamrolls past everybody like it never happened.”

In recognition of her hard work and talent, the team elected Cao co-captain at the end of her sophomore year, an added responsibility that she said has helped her evolve from a player into a leader.

“Being captain has taught me how to better communicate with the coaches and everyone on the team—to look outside yourself and focus on the entire team,” Cao said. “It’s really been a memorable experience for me.”

“I’m just excited by how she has learned how to make other players around her better this year,” Green added. “She had always been a great player for us. But this year, she has learned how bring the rest of the team to her same level.”

Sophomore teammate Alexandra Lehman said that Cao, with her intensity and focus, always leads by example.

“When I’m playing with her during practice, I know I have to raise my level and focus to keep up with her,” Lehman said. “And that’s really helped my game.”

After going 26-8 as a sophomore and 16-2 so far this season, Cao has no intentions of slowing down.

“I think it would be really great to win Ivies this year,” Cao said. “It would be a great team achievement.”

She shouldn’t have much trouble doing that—now that she knows all the rules.