The circle defender has waited patiently and played bits and pieces over the past two seasons.
She got her opportunity to start when veteran Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit came down with Covid-19.
It was an opportunity she took with both hands — in the literal sense, too.
The Pulse held an 11-goal lead heading into the final quarter, at which point Woulf seemingly started picking off every ball it attempted to feed into its circle.
She was key in sparking a remarkable comeback, which led to an extra-time win for the Steel.
Last week she backed that up, helping slow down a lethal Mystics attacking end to beat the ANZ Premiership leaders 64-59.
They were performances impossible to ignore, although the 22-year-old remained typically humble.
"When I was told I was starting I was a bit nervous," she said.
"But in a team environment when you get an opportunity you’ve got to take it and run with two feet.
"So I was nervous going on, but I had to trust that I was good enough to be on the court and could play the full game.
"But honestly, I couldn’t have got those balls if it wasn’t for my team-mates — the defence out in front who actually did all the work for me to come out and get the ball.
"It was an amazing feeling being out there and being able to get a starting position, and put a good performance on. Just be like ‘I can do, I’m worth being on the team’."
Woulf is in her second year with the team, having come over from Australia through a connection created by Silver Ferns and former Steel coach Noeline Taurua.
Taurua had coached Woulf, who is from Sydney, as one of Australia’s brightest youngsters at the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
A knee injury early on in 2018 curtailed that experience, but after making it back to play in Queensland’s Sapphire League for two years, Taurua recommended Woulf to the Steel.
Woulf has a New Zealand passport, so qualifies as a local player.
However, her family remained in Sydney and she has missed them.
She had hoped to go home at the end of last season. But when her flight was cancelled as New Zealand went into another lockdown, she ended up opting to stay, knowing she would have to be back by November.
It was a big sacrifice and she hopes to return home at the conclusion of the season to visit.
However, her recent form has made that sacrifice seem worth it.
"It has made it worthwhile.
"I’m loving every single bit of it on and off the court.
"I’m feeling myself grow mentally and physically and this club’s got a great understanding of what I want to get out of my netball career, and pushing me.
"I wouldn’t change my decision and if I had the opportunity to do it all again, I would definitely repeat the whole thing."
The Steel had been scheduled to play the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic today and Monday, but both games have been postponed due to five cases of Covid-19 in the squad.
