By Hugh Mallen, NUsports.com correspondent

To hear head coach Joe McKeown tell it, Lydia Rohde's ascension from a first-year walk-on to team captain over her four years at Northwestern has been "a magical story."

But for Rohde, who had to earn her spot from the very beginning, the path from rarely-used walk-on to senior captain and starter has been long and full of hard work and determination.

The 5-foot-10 guard from Brookfield, Wisconsin, led the team in three-point percentage last year, proving to be a consistent offensive contributor. McKeown only expects her role this year to expand, as the team plans on using its size to run an inside-out offense.

"Lydia stretches the floor and keeps defenses from being able to double-team us inside," he said. "It makes the game a lot easier when you can open the floor up, and Lydia does just that."

Her steady presence is already being felt this season, as Rohde has posted three double-digit scoring efforts, including dropping a career-high 22 in a win at UT-Martin on Nov. 18. She is one of the best in the Big Ten from beyond the arc in both three-pointers made and three-point percentage.

Rohde, a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, is the only current Wildcat with NCAA Tournament experience. She knows the significance of making it to the dance and, for Rohde, the tournament is the team's ultimate goal.

"I think we could have made it the past two years, and I really, really want to go back," she said. "I feel we're all very motivated to make that happen."

Rohde has played on multiple 20-win teams, including a team that was ranked as high as No. 12 in the country during her sophomore year. Her experiences on those teams will play a big role in a breakout senior season, and her former teammates make sure to stay in contact.

"They have been very encouraging," she said. "Since they left, they have texted me saying 'Good luck this year, and make sure you're shooting!'"

Rohde said the toughest part about walking on at a Big Ten program was self-confidence, noting that she used to question her authority on the team due to her walk-on status. However, Rohde said she quickly began to play with confidence because she worked hard and had a very welcoming team.

She earned a scholarship even before her first season began, an emotional moment for her parents, who, while originally from Wisconsin, lived in Evanston for seven years.

"When Coach [McKeown] called me and told me, I immediately went and told my mom," Rohde said. "She started crying because it meant a lot to her and my dad that I was being supported by a school they came to love from their time here."

She has continued to improve her game every year and said her sole motivation for improvement has been making the team better, an appropriate trait for a senior captain.

"My teammates are the most important people to me," she said. "I want their experience here to be great, and I feel like if I'm the best player and person I can be, then I can make the team the best it can be."

Rohde is a leader for a young group with only two juniors and one other senior on the roster. McKeown believes she will thrive in the role for his young team, saying Rohde knows the hard work needed to win in the Big Ten. He defined her leadership as trying to do the right thing every day.

"She leads by example, by her discipline, and by the way she carries herself," McKeown said. "That is why our players really look up to her."

Rohde said her place within the team has forced her into being a more vocal leader, a role she thrives in as a "people person." She said forming strong bonds with her teammates allows her to know how to motivate them and when they can receive criticism, which allows her to get the most out of her teammates.

"I love everybody, and I want everyone to be happy, but if I see someone who is not working as hard as she can, then I'll let her know."

Rohde said she is excited about her position on the team, whether it is helping the younger players or knocking down three-pointers. She said her biggest growth has been increased confidence in her ability as a player, thanks to both the coaching staff and her teammates.

"They helped build my confidence over the years," she said. "I think just playing a lot in practice and getting the experience with the upperclassmen from past years helped prepare me for this year."

McKeown already talks about how much he will miss Rohde next year, but says he is excited to see her flourish in her final season.

"We will miss her a ton, but in between I hope she makes a lot of shots. And she will."

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From Walk-On to Senior Captain, Rohde Leads by Example

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Players Mentioned

Lydia Rohde

Northwestern University Athletics

Northwestern University Athletics

From Walk-On to Senior Captain, Rohde Leads by Example

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