ELON, N.C. – Before the Elon lacrosse program begins its first official season next year, four players are getting a head start and have begun practices with the coaches. Elonphoenix.com caught up with freshman Kelli Stack (Lower Gywneed, Pa./Germantown) to find out what the experience has been like so far.
 
Stack, a 5’7 midfielder, was a four-year three-sport athlete at Germantown and received the 2012 Girls’ Inter-Athletic Director’s Award. In 2011, she earned the Gummey Award for athletics and scholarship and was a three-year member of the Dean’s List. She also received US Lacrosse High School All-Academic recognition. Kelli is the daughter of former James Madison soccer player Edward and JMU tennis player Laurel.
 
When did you start playing lacrosse?
“I started playing lacrosse in second grade for my local community team.”
 
What position do you play?
“I play in the midfield.”
 
What’s your favorite thing about the game of lacrosse?
“My favorite thing has always been the connection with my teammates, as well as the ever so flattering mid-calf sock tans.”
 
Why did you choose to come to Elon?
“Elon was always a school that was high on my list. After I took a tour of the campus and learned more about the extensive academic and extracurricular options available to me, I knew that it would be a perfect fit. I also wanted a good excuse to come home saying ‘y’all’.”
 
What was your reaction when you found out Elon was starting a lacrosse program?
I found out that Elon had hired two coaches right before I came to Elon in the fall. I had never really planned on playing a varsity sport in college, but I was very excited when I found out they were starting a program and I became interested in learning more about how the process was going to work.”
 
Why did you decide to be a part of Elon lacrosse?
“For me, it was after I first met with Coach Hexter and Coach Crotty in the fall. They were both just oozing excitement and I knew that they were both extremely talented and genuinely the nicest people. They clearly knew what they were doing and I was so impressed with their dedication because starting a brand new program is no small task. I left the office that day so excited to get involved. They’re energy was contagious.”
 
What’s your favorite thing about Elon?
“The people have definitely made my experience at Elon as great as it has been. Everyone I’ve met is so nice, maybe it’s because of the nice weather, but I’ve met the most amazing and fun people. It made the transition into college seem easy. Everyone here is always willing to help and they all want to see you succeed.”
 
How has training and practice gone this spring?
“Training and practice has been a lot of fun this spring. I’m shocked to see how much we have improved even over the last few months. We do have more to work on, but I’m very thankful to have such supportive and constructive coaches and teammates. We have been coined in the weight room as “the fab four” and even though we are small, we have been doing big things on the field.”
 
What are you looking forward to the most next year?
“I am so excited for next year! We have already met almost all of our new teammates and I cannot wait for them to get here and start practicing with them. It’s going to be a completely different feel and dynamic, but it will be really fun and exciting.”
 
What will it mean to you to be a Division I athlete?
“It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be a Division I athlete. It’s a lot of responsibility, but it means so much to me that I’ve gotten this opportunity.”
 
What is the team dynamic like so far?
“We have an unbelievable dynamic so far. The four of us played club lacrosse together in the fall, so we all knew each other going into this process. It has been so much fun getting closer to these girls because they are so nice and we always have a good time. It’s one thing to get along well on the field, but we get along just as well off the field, whether its going out to lunch or submerging ourselves in tubs of what feels like melted icebergs. While we do like to have a good time, we know that we have to work hard and we are very good at staying focused when we need to. I have no complaints about anyone on this team and don’t think I ever will. We all work hard, respect each other, and know what a privilege it is to be a member of that lady pheens.
 
What will your role be with the team next year?
“Next year I am looking forward to being a kind of role model for the new girls coming in. It’s great that we have started this year, so that the four of us can kind of get into a swing of how practices work and how things will be done next year. Since there will only be four non-freshmen players on the team next year out of 23, it is important that we help set the tone for the team and help the new players adjust not only to the Division I level, but to college life in general, even though we are still adjusting ourselves.”