SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Three years ago, USF Dons women's basketball head coach Molly Goodenbour fielded a team with eight freshmen on the roster. A challenge that would be tough for any coach to get a group of young athletes to learn the conference and college game on the fly.

Three years later, that group of freshmen are now upperclassmen contributing to the Dons brand of basketball on a daily basis. A key part of that young core is redshirt junior guard Amalie Langer, who's defensive intensity and scoring ability has propelled her to a key spot in USF's success. 

"To underestimate the power of experience is to do so at your own risk," Goodenbour said. "They're so much more prepared now to be in the fight everyday. Amalie's a great example of that, she didn't play for two years but she was there every single day, getting stronger and more familiar with everything. When she finally got her opportunity to come on the court and compete there was nobody who was coming to take her spot."

Overcoming the challenges earlier in her career helped springboard Amalie into the success she's found the last two seasons. Her leadership is fond in the example she sets with her hard work on both ends on the floor as a key force in the Dons defensive effort.

"I love basketball because it's always been in my life and one of my top priorities," Langer explained. "It's so much fun to compete everyday in order to get to the next level, for me to be able to get out with all my energy to become a better basketball player everyday."

Amalie's skill set has stood out to her coaches and teammates for her ability to fill numerous roles on the court, the most invaluable trait being her tenacious defensive work.

"When she's out on the court the tone is different because of how hard she plays," Goodenbour said. "That's had an impact on her teammates."

"Amalie was actually one of the main reasons why I wanted to help my team on defense," redshirt sophomore guard Ioanna Krimili said. "I was watching Amalie fight all of the time, grabbing the best defender and it made me wonder how I was helping." 

Being asked to be the defensive stopper for any team is a tall task that requires a lot of time and effort, one that Langer feels she is well-equipped to take on.

"I love having that role, being the one who puts pressure on their point guard as they try to take the ball up the court," Langer explained. 

A common term for wing players in basketball are 3-and-D due to their abilities to disrupt the opposing team on defense and knock down three-point shots when given the opportunity. Amalie has shined shooting from outside this season leading the Dons with a phenomenal 41% three-point field goal percentage.

"Her next step in her growth is can she become a consistent offensive scorer and presence for us," Goodenbour explained. "We know you can defend, we need her to defend, and we expect her to defend. Now can you be somebody who every game you can knock down open shots, get some rebounds and take on some of the load offensively."

Now a veteran on the roster playing with many of the same faces throughout her time as a Don, Langer is taking on a bigger role and is a key part of USF's success.

"For me it's all about continuing to be a better player and teammate and be a leader," Langer said. "Someone my coaches can trust to put me in or keep me in the game and say she will be able to win the game for us." 

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