PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — Three years ago, University of Maryland Eastern Shore senior Danielle August (Mililani, Hawaii) was preparing for the team's first event of her freshman season along with classmate Quianna Macares (Willemstad, Curacao) — the FDU New Jersey Jamboree. Alexandra Hernandez (Maracaibo, Venezuela) was sitting out her freshman season due to an NCAA ruling on her eligibility.

What a difference a few years makes as the trio is now preparing to lead the Hawks into the Caldwell University Cougar Classic to open their final campaign on the Shore.

"I was talking to Alexandra about it and we feel a lot of butterflies," August said. "It's a little scary, but it's more excitement. It's cool to see our full years come full circle and this is our last run."

This year's squad enters the season with seven returners including junior Brigitte Jacobs (Freeport, Illinois) and Cayla Hicks (Salem, Virginia) and sophomore Paulina Torres (Ponce, Puerto Rico). And head coach Kayla Bandy has added one freshman in Isabel Hughes (Raleigh, North Carolina).

"I remember my freshman year the roster and then my sophomore year it kind of grew really big," August said. "Now we are back down to seven people and honestly I feel like it is a little easier to form true bonds and connections with your teammates. We hang out all the time. We live together most of the time and it has been easier to form real relationships with your teammates. I like that."

Bandy was still tinkering with the lineup this week, but will definitely be starting Hicks, August, Hernandez and Torres based on their recent performance, while Macares and
Jacobs are currently battling for the last starting spot to begin the event.

She will be bringing Hughes along slowly beginning with some fill shots on the opening day of the event as to not overwhelm her early and then work her into traditional play the following day.

The leadership on this year's squad will be key if The Shore is to meet their ultimate goals.

While there is just one freshman in Hughes, she will still be looking to the team's veteran's for leadership.

"My main thing when I talk to Isabel about bowling is that she just needs to know we have her back," August said. "I know you are scared. I know you are nervous, but at the end of the day we've all been there and know exactly how you are feeling. So, take a breath and relax. If you don't have it, we've got you. I feel like in order for her to compete at her best she needs to be comfortable, so however we can make her comfortable will benefit us."

August has embraced both her leadership role and the big picture approach that Bandy has taken heading into this season.

"The big thing coach has been pushing is that we don't need to be perfect now," August said. "We want to be perfect in March. I really like that philosophy because it's true. This is a brand new dynamic. This is a new team per say and we don't need to mesh together now. We need to mesh together then. It feels like even though we are going in to this expecting to do well, we don't have the added pressure to be perfect right now."

The event includes Fairleigh Dickinson, Sacred Heart, Delaware State, Adelphi, St. Francis (Pa.) and other strong programs from the northeast region.

"It's a good event to get things started," Bandy said. "The girls need to be able to get their feet wet and learn how tom compete with each other. We'll see how it goes."