Liberty Lacrosse Announces 9 Signees in 2023-24 Class
3/10/2023 3:34:49 PM | Women's Lacrosse
The Liberty lacrosse program and head coach Kelly Nangle have announced the addition of nine student-athletes for the 2023-24 academic year.
The recruiting class – Blakely Doyle (Pennsylvania), Peyton Harper (Georgia), Rachel Hines (Virginia), Ava Menna (Georgia), Hattie Messick (Maryland), Riley Phillips (Georgia), Delainy Prosper (Virginia), Fayedra Vang (Minnesota) and Kate Wilson (North Carolina) – consists of student-athletes from six different states.
Blakely Doyle (A – Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts HS)
Doyle, an attacker from Pottstown, Pa., has totaled 51 goals, 14 assists, 65 points, 60 ground balls and 16 caused turnovers over the last two seasons at Owen J. Roberts High School. As a junior, Doyle tallied 31 goals, eight assists, 39 points, 30 ground balls and eight caused turnovers for a 23-3 Wildcats squad which made it to the quarterfinals of the state tournament.
“I chose Liberty because it felt right, and I knew I was supposed to be a Flame,” Doyle stated. “When I felt that feeling, I knew this was the place for me.”
Doyle has competed at the club level for an NXT 2023 Black squad which was ranked No. 1 in the country last July.
Peyton Harper (M – Canton, Ga./Sequoyah HS)
Harper is a midfielder from Canton, Ga. who has competed for Sequoyah High School for the past three seasons. Over those three years, the Georgia native has 133 goals, 48 assists, 181 points and 102 ground balls. Harper is a two-time All-County first team honoree and two-time team MVP, achieving both feats during her junior and sophomore campaigns. Harper racked up 68 goals, 18 assists, 86 points and 47 ground balls in only 15 games as a junior.
“From the first time I played lacrosse at age eight, it has been my dream to play lacrosse at the collegiate level,” Harper said. “I am blessed that Liberty University has given me the opportunity to live out my dream, and I can’t wait for the next four years. Go Flames!”
Harper has played at the club level for 2023 Atlanta Storm Elite Blue, a squad ranked 40th in the nation and second in Georgia (Aug. 2022). Harper and her club team were 2021 Lax Amplified Tournament Champions. She earned several honors, including: two-time Southern Elite Showcase All-Star Team, Furman University Camp MVP and American Select Powered by Nike Showcase.
“Liberty University is getting the complete person in Peyton Harper. Peyton is one of the most talented athletes that I have coached in 25 years of coaching. She has incredible work ethic to go with being so talented. She is a great teammate and always has a positive attitude. Peyton also has great character as well. She is the complete student-athlete.”
Brent Budde, Sequoyah High School Girls Lacrosse Head Coach
Rachel Hines (GK – Lexington, Va./Rockbridge County HS)
A goalkeeper from Lexington, Va., Hines has led the Rockbridge County Wildcats to a 26-3 combined record the last two seasons. Hines and Rockbridge are back-to-back district and regional champions and made it to the state semifinals during both years. She is a two-time second team all-regoin selection as well.
“I couldn’t be more excited to continue my future at Liberty University,” Hines stated. “It’s everything I was looking for in a college, and you couldn’t meet a better lacrosse staff as well as players.”
Hines has played for two club teams, Valley Select and Yellow Jackets South. Her top memory was making it to the championship game at the New Balance National Cup in Tampa, Fla. And playing on ESPN3. Hines has also competed in cross country for two years, volleyball for two years and basketball for one year while at Rockbridge County High School.
Ava Menna (M – Marietta, Ga./Lassiter HS)
Menna is an attacker from Marietta, Ga. who has competed for the Lassiter Trojans. As a sophomore during the 2021 season, she totaled 68 goals, 25 assists, 93 points, 57 ground balls and won 63 percent of draws while helping her team to a 17-3 record and appearance in the state final four. Menna was named second team all-state for her efforts.
During her junior campaign, Menna and Lassiter reached the final four again, posting a 14-7 mark. As a freshman, she scored 19 goals and added 10 assists, 29 points and 17 ground balls in only four games.
“I am super excited to continue my academic and athletic career at a Christian university and officially be a part of the Liberty family,” Menna said.
Menna has competed at the club level for Atlanta Storm 2023 Blue.
Hattie Messick (A – Cambridge, Md./Saints Peters & Paul HS)
Messick is an attacker from Cambridge, Md. As a junior for her high school squad, she compiled 84 goals, 37 assists and 121 points in 17 games while helping her team win an ESIAC title. Messick earned first team all-conference and team MVP recognition.
During her sophomore season, she scored 34 goals and added six assists, 40 points, 35 draw controls and 45 shots on goal. Messick and the Sabres finished the year with a 9-4 record and captured the ESIAC title. She was selected to the all-conference first team.
“After visiting Liberty, I knew it was the perfect place to be my home for the next four years,” Messick stated. “The lacrosse team was so welcoming and fun. It makes me excited for what the future holds for me.”
Messick has competed at the club level for Lady Blue Crabs Lacrosse. In addition to playing lacrosse in high school, she has played basketball and soccer. Messick is a three-time all-conference basketball player and a two-time all-conference recipient in soccer.
Riley Phillips (A – Peachtree City, Ga./McIntosh HS)
An attacker from Peachtree City, Ga., Phillips has totaled 106 goals, 51 assists and 157 points in three seasons for the McIntosh Chiefs. During her junior year, McIntosh finished with a 15-5 record, won the regional title and made it to the final four of the state tournament. Phillips tallied 62 goals, 23 assists and 85 points and was named Midi MVP for her efforts. As a sophomore, the attacker compiled 29 goals, 18 assists and 47 points for a 13-5 Chiefs squad that reached the final four of the state tournament. She was named Midi MVP that year as well.
“Liberty women’s lacrosse is such a special team. I chose Liberty because of the culture, the amazing coaching staff, the campus and to be able to step on the field every day glorifying God with people who truly care about one another,” Phillips said. “I’m very excited to become a Flame and can’t wait for the next four years.”
Phillips has competed for Atlanta Storm 2023 Blue. Additionally, she played volleyball for two years in high school.
Delainy Prosper (A/M – Ashburn, Va./Briar Woods HS)
Prosper is an attacker/midfielder who hails from Ashburn, Va. During her junior year, she earned first team all-district and second team all-region. Prosper had 49 goals, 22 assists, 71 points, 48 ground balls, 21 caused turnovers and 42 draw controls in 15 games. As a sophomore, Prosper was a first team all-district selection while scoring 28 goals to go along with eight assists, 36 points and 28 ground balls in 10 games for the Briar Woods Falcons.
“During the whole recruiting process, I kept comparing every school to Liberty. I couldn’t be any happier to have found Liberty and Coach Nangle and Dunay,” Prosper said. “Every time I visit Liberty, I don’t want to leave. I’m so happy to have found my school where I can develop not only as a lacrosse player but more importantly develop as a Christian.”
Prosper has been on the Capital Lacrosse Club team during her high school career. She totaled 53 goals, 49 assists, 102 and 71 ground balls with Capital and helped the team go unbeaten at the G8 tournament. Prosper has been a four-year starter for Briar Woods High School’s varsity field hockey team as well and received first team all-district recognition this fall.
“Delainy is a player who will help make plays develop for not only herself, but she will do everything she can to make sure her teammates are successful. She is a workhorse in all aspects of the game and all over the field. Delainy is willing to step into different roles to help the team get where they need to be. She is a true star player, and we have no doubt she will be successful at the next level when she attends Liberty University.”
Shelby Mercer, Capital Lacrosse Club Head Coach
Fayedra Vang (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret’s School)
Vang is a midfielder from Brooklyn Park, Minn. Vang was named to the MSHSL 2023 Player Watch List as a junior after scoring 17 goals to go along with six assists, 23 points, 15 ground balls and nine draw controls in only eight games for the Red Knights. As a sophomore, Vang contributed 37 goals, six assists, 43 points, 43 draw controls and 42 ground balls in 16 games while helping her team to a 13-3 record.
Vang and the Red Knights finished as section finalists during that 2021 season. Her accomplishments included: MSHSL 2023 Player Watch List, Northwest Suburban All-Coinference team, all-section second team midfielder and girls section second team honoree.
“I am honored and thrilled to be a part of the Liberty women’s lacrosse program. The team and coaches are amazing people who are hardworking, passionate and full of grit. I love the positive and supportive culture they have created, and I am very grateful for this opportunity,” Vang stated. “I want to thank God for guiding me to this incredible place that I can call home for the next four years as well as my family, friends, teammates and coaches for supporting me through this journey.”
Vang’s club team in Minnesota Elite Girls Lacrosse. In addition to her successes on the lacrosse field, Vang has played soccer in high school and competed on the cross country and Nordic ski teams at Benilde-St. Margaret’s School.
“Fayedra Vang has been a joy to coach, brings unbridled energy to games and also is a coach on the field. Fayedra is an intense competitor and a great teammates who will play anywhere for the team. She has incredible vision and in constantly improving all aspects of her game – footwork, endurance, stickwork, defense, all of it. Fayedra relishes the preparation for games. Her love of the game was contagious to her teammates. Her work ethic in the classroom and on the field will help her be a successful student-athlete at Liberty University. We are so thrilled for her!”
Ana Bowlsby, Benilde-St. Margaret’s School Lacrosse Head Coach
Kate Wilson (M – Cape Carteret, N.C./Croatan HS)
Wilson is a midfielder who hails from Cape Carteret, N.C. Wilson has totaled 138 goals, 28 assists, 166 points, 229 ground balls and 191 draw controls so far in her prep career with the Croatan Cougars. Her accomplishments to date include: two-time all-conference (one first team, one second team), two-time second team all-region and two-time third team all-state.
Wilson notched 70 goals, 12 assists, 82 points, 129 ground balls and 107 draw controls in 18 games during her junior campaign in 2022, helping her team earn its second straight playoff berth and a runner-up finish in the conference. As a sophomore, she totaled 51 goals, 10 assists, 67 ground balls and 56 draw controls in 12 games in helping Croatan to its first-ever playoff appearance as a program.
“I have been waiting to sign with Liberty since I verbally committed. The atmosphere of the school and the team is something that I always wanted, and I am super excited for the future and being a Flame,” Wilson said.
Wilson has competed for Bogue Elite Lacrosse during her club career, helping the squad three different championship trophies: Capital City Lax Festival July 2022, Asheville Summer Classic June 2021 and Charlotte Lacrosse Invitational. Wilson is also a four-year high school basketball player.
