20
It took the Hawkeyes awhile to get things rolling
when the season switched from fall to spring. Iowa
was winless (0-6-1) in its first seven games, but
won four in a row to win the Big Ten Conference
Tournament and receive an automatic berth to
the NCAA Championships. In the first round, the
Hawkeyes upset host Campbell, 1-0. In the second
round they led No. 3 UCLA 1-0 at halime before
falling, 2-1.
Rydberg was motivated by the most recent
opportunity and her leadership kept the program
moving forward. She was named to the Big Ten
All-Tournament team and was voted as the team's
most valuable player. Rydberg was also named a
team captain and started each of Iowa's 17 games.
She played the entirety of seven games and played
a critical role as an offensive felicitator and a
disruptor on defense. Her two assists led the
Hawkeyes this season, and her vocal leadership
helped guide a young team during its historic
postseason run.
"I want to take these next two years and make
as much of a difference as I can and be the best
player I can be," said Rydberg. "Because we did so
well, it's motivation for us to want to uphold that
standard we created."
