As a senior on the women’s hockey team, Kayte Holtz’s success throughout her athletic career has earned her almost every accolade available in the NESCAC D-III Conference. Last season, Holtz led the Polar Bears in scoring, was named NESCAC Player of the Week three times, and was selected as a New England Hockey Writer’s Association Division III All-Star. 
Before a home crowd in Watson arena last Saturday—and down 2-1 with only a minute left in regulation—Holtz bounded over a sliding Colby defender and ripped the puck over the Mules’ goalkeeper, dramatically sending the game into overtime. Fifty-three seconds into the overtime period, Holtz assisted teammate Kenzie Novak ’13 to score the game-winning goal. 
The close victory puts the Polar Bears atop the NESCAC; Bowdoin  and Middlebury are the only two teams without a loss so far this season. 
“We’ve only had a few games, but right now we’re ranked first [in the NESCAC],” said Holtz. “For four years, I don’t think that we’ve ever been ranked so highly, since schools like Amherst and Middlebury normally win the most opening games.”
Holtz’s ability on the team has earned her the respect of both her teammates and Head Coach Marissa O’Neil. 
“She’s a captain, and does a great job of leading by example,” said O’Neil. “Everyone on the team—regardless of whether they’re a senior or a first-year—looks up to her. Every time she gets on the ice, she looks to make a difference and bring up the intensity of the game.”
Although many of Holtz’s teammates look up to her as a role model of skill and character, Holtz remains humble saying she believes that team efforts are more important to her than individual performances. 
“I try to lead more by having a relaxed and fun attitude, but at the same time, taking the game of hockey seriously, and having fun,” said Holtz
O’Neil attested to the fact that, regardless of her individual performances, Holtz doesn’t allow her success to get to her head. 
“I don’t think she realizes how much people look up to her, so to me, her humility is something that I respect,” said O’Neil. “All of the awards that she’s earned are incredible, and even to this day I don’t know how much they actually mean to her. She likes the recognition of the team more than anything else.”
Off the ice, Holtz participates in community service and handles a rigorous academic courseload. Holtz said that hockey helps keep her schedule balanced. 
 “I don’t think it’s too hard to handle, because I feel that having hockey helps me to schedule the rest of my work,” she said.
This is Holtz’s last season on the hockey team, and she said she hopes the team will have a deep postseason run. Considering the team’s opening performances, that goal seems attainable. 
As Holtz looks ahead to the rest of the season, she offered advice to her teammates: “Play for your team, play for your friends, and just play as hard as you can.”