Rowie Holly Harper’s second pro season with the Boston Fleet began with the weight of expectation and the quiet thrill of belonging.

At twenty-three, she was no longer the wide-eyed rookie. The “first overall” label had faded into “sophomore star,” and the league now watched her every shift with the keen eye reserved for players who might define an era.

Pre-season camp felt different: familiar faces, coaches who trusted her with leadership, teammates who looked to her ...