It is a rare occurrence for someone to get to play a collegiate sport with a sibling. For sophomore Danyelle Kauble and freshman Cassady Kauble, competing together on the Grand Valley State University women’s golf team as walkons and supporting each other on a daily basis are routine.

“They weren’t stand-out golfers in high school, but I saw some abilities that I thought could develop over time with some instruction,” said GVSU head coach Rebecca Mailloux. “Danyelle has come a long way since she got here. She has definitely had some good rounds for us and has gotten better over the two years she has been here. Cassady is a freshman and we have been working on getting more experience for her. She has developed her game since high school as well.”

Danyelle Kauble didn’t come to GVSU for golf. As an honors college student, she came for the academics, but after talking to Mailloux she realized she could pull off both.

“The honors program definitely helped guide me to where I wanted to go,” she said. “I walked in the building and I knew this is where I wanted to be. Also, I didn’t want to go to college and not do some sport. When Coach gave me the opportunity, I knew I wanted to do it.”

As a freshman, Cassady Kauble has also had to learn to transition from the high school scene to college, both academically and athletically.

“In terms of golf, Coach [Mailloux] has been very influential for me,” she said. “In terms of transitioning from high school to college, I would say Danyelle has helped the most. I talked to her all through last year so I had an edge on the transfer. I knew what was coming and what to expect.”

Like any sibling pair, some rivalry exists. While they are both supportive of each other, the competitiveness between the two is still very apparent.

“I’m definitely the better of the two of us,” Danyelle Kauble joked.

The sisters’ relationship extends beyond a rivalry and exerts the strength of true support, something Mailloux said she noticed.

“I think they competitively feed off of each other sometimes,” Mailloux said. “They obviously want to beat each other but also encourage each other to do well. I think they are a good support system for each other.”

Danyelle Kauble said the support they show is toward everything, not just golf. When one beats the other, there are no hard feelings.

“In high school, we were definitely competitive,” she said. “It is a big rivalry to see who can get the spot for the week. However, Cassady and I are definitely each other’s support system. We support each other in everything. We don’t get jealous of each other. It is more a congratulatory thing and move on to work harder next time.”

Cassady Kauble echoed her sister’s sentiments.

“We are definitely good friends,” she said. “On the course we don’t just have the normal teammate support, but support from each other.”

The goal for each is to continue to get better. Danyelle Kauble travels to Southfield to work on her swing with a local pro. For Cassady Kauble, it is about gaining experience.

Their work ethic does not go unnoticed.

“Typically, walks-on are playing for the love of the game, not to say scholarship players are not,” Mailloux said. “It varies on the individual, however. The role these girls play on the team goes beyond their abilities. They don’t ever feel they shouldn’t show up for practice or that they deserve a break over anybody else just because of their walk-on status. I do the same thing for them as I do for all of my players. I don’t treat them any differently.”

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