It’s All in the Chemistry: UMD’s Female Athletes Reflect on the Importance of Charisma

Article by Freelancer Hannah Kennedy

After two years of abnormal sports seasons during the COVID-19 pandemic, female spring sports athletes at UMD are appreciating the little things more than ever: especially being back together. 

For many teams, COVID-19 restrictions hindered team bonding opportunities off the field, making it difficult for teammates to get to know each other. As life slowly returns to normalcy; the athletes have acknowledged the importance of chemistry both inside and outside of practice. 

“Last year we couldn’t do any like team bonding type deals,” Libby May, a junior attacker for the women’s lacrosse team said. “But…this group, we are like a family.”

Being able to connect off the field has been key for the women’s lacrosse team this season. The team only has one loss so far. 

“I think [chemistry] translates so much. You get so excited for each other and it just carries the momentum throughout the game,” May said.

Chemistry has also helped women’s doubles tennis players Mary Brumfield and Selma Cadar, who are both playing in their first year for the Terps. Brumfield, a freshman, and Cadar, a junior who transferred from the University of Miami, had to adjust to a new team environment. 

“I have some sports college experience, but it’s definitely different here, like the culture, the community, it’s much more welcoming,” Cadar said. 

For Brumfield it was a bit of a different transition. Brumfield came from being home schooled in Florida to being on campus with over 30,000 students. 

“It’s been a big adjustment for me,” Brumfield said, “…but; however, the team makes me feel very comfortable.”

Feeling comfortable on a team can go a long way. Similar to Cadar, Karla Elena Vásquez Setzer, a sophomore on the women’s golf team, also transferred to UMD this year. Although change can be difficult, Vásquez Setzer attributed her smooth transition to the closeness of the team. 

“They focus a lot on bonding outside the golf course, which I think is great,” Vásquez Setzer said. 

Even in more individual sports, the team aspect still plays a role in lifting each other up. Vásquez Setzer said she is always ready to give her teammates advice or bring good energy to the course. 

Supporting each other is important for UMD female athletes. May, Cadar, Brumfield and Vásquez Setzer all acknowledged the importance of empowering women in sports. 

“If I could tell a young female athlete [something] it would be…always have faith and belief in yourself,” Brumfield said.

• athlete
• Chemistry
• female athletes
• pandemic
• spring athlete
• UMD