After a tough season that saw just seven wins, the DeWitt girls lacrosse program is experiencing a remarkable turnaround—and senior midfielder Jillian Randolph is at the heart of it.

With a 9-3 record already surpassing last year's total, the Panthers are riding a five-game winning streak, fueled by a renewed sense of teamwork. Randolph, recently named the LSJ girls athlete of the week, tallied seven goals in back-to-back wins over CAAC rivals Grand Ledge and Holt.

"Our team has been able to connect a lot more than in past years," Randolph said. "We play more as a unit rather than as individual players. My teammates have done a really good job at finding me in the right spots and we mesh well together."

Randolph, a four-year varsity player committed to Hope College next season, has embraced a new role this year as a midfielder—a position she hasn't played since middle school. Her versatility and leadership have been key to the Panthers' success, blending veteran experience with a talented group of underclassmen.

DeWitt coach Delaney Aungst praised Randolph's impact: "There's so much good leadership and initiative from all of our players. We have such a range of ages on the team, and everyone is just excited to contribute and trust each other. (Randolph) has been so dynamic, and she leads by example—verbally and on the field, starting practice by getting everyone going."

The Panthers' current hot streak will be tested in the coming weeks against tough opponents like Grand Rapids Christian and Howell, offering a crucial gauge of their progress just before the state tournament begins. For a program in rejuvenation, the future looks bright—and Randolph is leading the charge.