College lacrosse is back. As perhaps the most anticipated season in NCAA history approaches, we’re featuring every team ranked in the Nike/US Lacrosse Preseason Top 20.

Check back to USLaxMagazine.com each weekday for new previews, scouting reports and rival analysis.

TOP RETURNERS

Caroline DeBellis, A, So. 

There were questions entering the 2020 season about who might step up to fill the offensive holes left when leading scorers Charlotte North and Olivia Jenner transferred and graduated, respectively. True freshman DeBellis answered them emphatically, emerging as a young star for Duke through the shortened season. She broke out in the Blue Devils’ season opener with three goals and four assists and didn’t slow down, finishing with the team’s fifth-most goals (13) and most assists (19).  

Callie Humphrey, D, Gr. 

Humphrey has been an impact player for Duke since she arrived on campus in 2017, and the announcement this summer that she’d return for a fifth year in blue was huge for the program. In 2020, she led the team with 16 caused turnovers and 18 ground ball  and played a key part in holding high-scoring No. 2 Notre Dame to only 13 goals. She earned second-team All-ACC distinction in 2018 and could again be in contention for postseason honors in 2021. 

Maddie Jenner, A, Jr. 

In her two seasons in Durham, Jenner has emerged as one of the nation’s top specialists in the circle. The 6-foot-2 attacker already has 184 career draw controls for the Blue Devils. She’s on pace to shatter more program records — many of which were set by her older sister, Olivia, from 2016 to 2019 — and with three years of eligibility remaining, will likely have her eyes set on some national draw control records, as well. 

KEY ADDITION 

Katie DeSimone, A. Fr. 

Rosenzweig, with her four years of college experience, is the headliner among Duke’s 2021 newcomers, but DeSimone is a young talent to watch. In her three-year high school career, the Long Island native tallied 139 goals and three Under Armour All-American honors, earning two stints on the U.S. U-19 training team. DeSimone is aware of how she needs to keep growing her game at the college level, Kimel said, and fits right into the Blue Devils’ already deep and prolific attack. 

ENEMY LINES 

What rival coaches are saying about the Blue Devils:

“I’m curious to see what’s going to happen. Their offense is loaded with talent, and I think they’re starting to mesh with chemistry that was missing in years past. They’re getting back to the days when they could outscore opponents to win. But the biggest question is still their defense. But they can win the draw. If they can win the draw and score goals, they don’t have to play a ton of defense.” 

“Duke will always have great games in them and then some flops. They’re super well-coached. They have talent in all the right places. They’re not loaded with talent, but they certainly have strengths all across the field. When things go their way and they’re winning that draw and scoring early, they’re going to be a tough team to beat.” 

“I know they have a good transfer. They’ll be a threat for sure. I don’t know as much about them, but they’re always dangerous, so we’ll see.” 

NUMBERS GAME 

4 

Margin in Duke’s losses to No. 3 Northwestern (24-20) and No. 2 Notre Dame (13-9). In both matchups, the Blue Devils got down early — six- and five-goal first-half deficits, respectively — but launched strong second-half comeback attempts to challenge against two of the country’s top teams. Starting solid out of the gates will be key for Duke in 2021 throughout the stacked ACC slate.