Knapp back to lead girls
Last year's tourney appearance sparks student interest in girls' lacrosse
BY STEVE SHEPPARD INDEPENDENT SPORTS EDITOR
Amy Knapp didn't worry about the fortunes of the girls' lacrosse team while she was on maternity leave last year - she knew her program was in good hands.

ROB BENCHLEY/The Independent Amy Knapp returns to coach the girls' lacrosse team a year after her sister took the team to the tournament.

And indeed it was, as her sister, Heather Williams, took the team to its first ever state tournament appearance. For Knapp, having her sister at the helm was almost as good as being there - almost.

"I knew that, unfortunately, I wasn't going to be there, but I knew with the team we had that it was going to be the year," she said. "My goal is to make it to the tournament again this year."

Although the team graduated six seniors, the enthusiasm generated by making the tournament has sparked interest. This year, 31 girls have come out for the sport, with 20 of them new players. "I've never walked in on the first day and seen so many girls," Knapp noted. "All of them are enthusiastic and eager to learn."

Besides hopes of gaining a successive tournament spot, another challenge for the team will be regrouping, as new teammates adjust to playing together. With so many girls picking up sticks for the first time, there will also be a heavy emphasis on basic skills. "We're looking to form a unit that works well together," is the coach's understatement.

ROB BENCHLEY/The Independent Briana Vittorini and Rachel Sigel practice fundamentals during early season lacrosse drills. The girls' season opens tomorrow at New Bedford.

Knapp will depend on her core players to pass along what they've learned. Goalie Miranda Dale, attackers Ashley Martin and Ainsley Elllis and Erin Lindsay on defense are the veterans she's counting on to help the newer players like Sara Andrews, Riley Fredericks, Caroline Stanton and Kelsey Ames, who are proving to be quick learners.

Looking ahead, Knapp sees that only one senior from the team will graduate, meaning that any seasoning gained by the team this year will be gravy next year.

She also looks to the new middle school program, in which her sister is girls' coach, as a needed way for skills to be taught at a younger age.

Knapp can also share from her own experiences in high school - where her Hingham High School teams routinely made the state tournament - and in college, where she was a standout player.

The immediate challenge is in preparing for a tough Maritime League schedule, and playing against foes like Dartmouth, Bourne and New Bedford, all much larger schools. But the benefits gained by playing "up" are worth it, Knapp says. "It's great to go up against teams like Dartmouth," she said. "It's a difficult matchup, but it helps to build a stronger program."

The first game is scheduled for tomorrow at New Bedford. The first home game is not slated until April 24, when the team takes on

Barnstable High School. I