The whistle blows, clashing sticks flick in the air. The ball’s at play. Middies tower into the center, the stick scrapes the turf. Running down the field with nothing but the ball in mind, players whip across the grass. The crowd watches, coaches hold their breaths. Cheers erupt from the fans, sticks clank, fists fly, and voices shout. Vandegrift 9-8 win.

The club lacrosse team competes with 12 players on the field in a sport not officially sanctioned by the UIL. The teams include high school-aged players enrolled at Vandegrift who participate in fall tournaments and spring games vs. other schools along with the playoff games.

“I like being with my friends and making new friendships,” freshman Rachel Mason said.

In most sports, relationships with teammates impact the way the team plays, and the athletes individually.

“The team is very energetic, and we all kind of hype each other up. It’s super fun,” sophomore Gianna Cuthbert said. 

In order to play well on the field, the girls need to forget about any form of problems they have with their teammates, since one person can’t play for the whole team.

“No one judges you, so I just really enjoy the kindness we have,” sophomore Bianca Bauguess said. 

The girls work together to have positive mindsets on and off the field, creating friendships on the way. This sport, however, isn’t common to the South, 

“It’s a very new and upcoming sport, especially in Texas,” sophomore Ella Berkey said. “And, now, we have a USA team to support.” 

Though a popular sport out of state, recently Texas has opened its arms to the idea of having lacrosse in schools. Students now have the ability to join the VHS club. Those on the team find themselves dedicated to the sport in different ways whether it’s on the side or a passion of theirs.

“I stay motivated because I’m passionate about lacrosse,” Mason said. 

Since the girls are on JV, they have more room to make mistakes, learn, and improve. 

“I like how encouraging the team is and how the coach helps me no matter what,” sophomore Emilia Vazquez said. 

The coaches help work with the students to learn how to play the sport, and to improve their technical skills. 

“Practices are always super fun,” freshman Kate Stephens said. 

The girls go to practice 7:30-9 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesday nights, considering it is a Vandegrift club instead of an in-school sport.

 “What keeps me motivated is knowing that my friends are going to be there at practice,” Cuthbert said, “that we can only go through it together.”