After leading the state in scoring as a senior for Bainbridge’s lacrosse team, alum Mariah Walk has continued her dominance at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif.

Walk, one of 12 freshmen, started 15 of the Gaels’ 16 games this season, leading St. Mary’s with a team-high 38 points, 29 goals and 36 draw controls.

Q: What was the transition from high school lacrosse to Division-I like?

A: It started out kind of rough because I was just kind of thrown into the mix and I didn’t really know the team very well. My credits got messed up in high school, so I had to take a quarter at community college to get my credits fulfilled for an NCAA requirement. I went to St. Mary’s, and then the season started, so I didn’t have any time to work with the team. They played together all of fall ball. I think the biggest trouble I had when I first got there was simple stick skills.

Q: Were you surprised that you started right away?

A: As a D-I athlete to start in a game as a freshman — the first game when they say your name — it was unreal. I worked for so hard for so many years and that’s how it’s paying off.

Q: When you committed to St. Mary’s, what did you think your role was going to be?

A: The team was all right, but they hadn’t won too many games. I just really like to prove what I have. I didn’t think I would start the first game because I wasn’t up to par with everybody else.

Q:: Even though you were a freshman, you finished the season with team-highs in goals and ball controls.

A: That came as a surprise. Every day, all I would try to do was work harder and keep getting better. My stats were pretty good, but I just felt that every game I had something I did wrong and I could do better. I didn’t even feel like I led the team in anything because I always made a mistake and that’s what I like to focus on are the things I messed up on.

Q: As an All-American at Bainbridge, your teams had a great deal of success – reaching the state finals four times – what was it like transitioning to a team that had gone 2-30 over six years?

A: At first it was really hard. Most of these girls come from winning teams. I was so used to winning, and by my senior year I was ready for the next level. Every time [we lose] we get to see what we do wrong, and it’s just another level of improvement of us. It was frustrating because I was so used to stomping teams, but I’m hoping that in a few years St. Mary’s will just be like Bainbridge.

Q: Which areas of your game have improved the most?

A: My left-hand basic catching and passing. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. That was a really big improvement for me. I improved a lot in just learning to see the field and kind of just know where the ball is, where the girl is.

Q: What is your outlook for next year?

A: It was a good starting season. We won the first home game in years. We won two home games — it’s the best we’ve done in a long time. There’s a lot to improve on, but I think over the next couple years we’re going to start winning games. We’ve got a whole bunch of new freshmen and my year has a lot of good players that are ready.

Q: What will be the hardest part of your season?

A: Fall ball. We have two-a -days six times a week. Lifting is three days. Practice is six days. We build and work and run and improve our skills, which can get really, really tough. The season isn’t actually as bad.

Q: You must be looking forward to Bainbridge senior Delaney Larkin joining the team in the fall.

A: I didn’t really know Delaney that well, but by the end of the season last year we became pretty close and I think she’s an amazing player and has so much to improve on. I think it’s fun because I already know how she plays, and I’m really excited.

Q: Would you consider coaching lacrosse in the future?

A: I love sports. I love lacrosse and that’s something I always just want to keep around. Maybe after college I think it’d be really fun. I definitely wouldn’t look past it if there was ever any opportunity.