@fullname - @season - @sport - Liberty University

Ava Rajala

Class:
Junior
Position:
A
Height:
5-5
Prev School:
Minnetonka High School
Hometown:
Excelsior, Minn.

2024 (So.)

Played in all 18 games, making 12 starts
Named to the ASUN All-Tournament Team
Tallied 17 goals, ranked third on Liberty with 13 assists and ranked sixth on the team with 30 points
Totaled 18 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers
Converted two of five free-position opportunities
Scored two goals on five shots and assisted on two for a season-high four points with a ground ball and a caused turnover in ASUN semifinal at Jacksonville on April 27 to earn an ASUN All-Tournament team nod
Recorded 56 shots with 43 on goal
Scored multiple goals in six games
Included on CUSA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll

2023 (Fr.)

Appeared in four games
Tallied two goals on three shots along with a ground ball and two caused turnovers
Made Liberty debut on March 23 in a 22-7 win over Winthrop, forced a caused turnover in the contest
Scored first career goal in a 26-6 win over Stetson on April 15, also earned a caused turnover

Prep

Graduate of Minnetonka High School
Named all-state second team, all-state honorable mention and first team all-Metro while serving as a team captain during senior season in 2022
Tabbed an All-American and earned MVP, all-state first team, all-section first team and all-conference accolades while leading the Skippers to an 11-4 season in 2021 as a junior
Totaled 61 goals, 16 assists, 77 points and 54 ground balls during junior season
Finished with 15 goals, two assists, 17 points and 12 ground balls as a freshman for Minnetonka in 2019, earning all-conference honorable mention distinction
Also played ice hockey in high school
Competed at the club lacrosse level for Minnesota Elite Girls Lacrosse, which was the No. 1-ranked club in the state in 2020
Went 4-0 at the Capitol Cup and 3-1 at Champions Cup with Minnesota Elite in the summer of 2021

Personal

Daughter of Bart and Elizabeth Rajala
Father, Bart, played football at St. Olaf
Grandfather, Randolph, played football at Minnesota
Aunt, Jennifer Sawyer, played basketball at St. Olaf
Intends on majoring in interior design
Birthday is Feb. 10

Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
I knew I always wanted to compete at the highest level in college and be a part of a community that loves Jesus Christ, and Liberty University has provided me with both!

Is there anything special you do pregame or postgame and why?
A sugar free red bull and some heavy prayer before a game always helps me play my best game of lacrosse.

Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
My Grandpa Randy, who played football at the University of Minnesota, is my biggest inspiration because of his love for Jesus Christ and his wise words of wisdom that I will always cherish!

What is your most memorable athletic moment/accomplishment?
My most memorable athletic accomplishment was being named an All-American as a junior in high school!

Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports? (Names, relation to you, what/where they played)?
Yes, my grandpa Randy played football at the University of Minnesota, my father played football at St. Olaf, and my aunt played basketball at St. Olaf as well!

Favorite meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and what is that special meal?
My favorite meal of the day would probably be a tie with lunch and dinner, or whenever I can eat chicken noodle soup.

What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
The Bible app.

What is your favorite hobby outside of athletics?
Creating jewelry and tapping into my creative side.

Do you have any current pets (name and type of animal)?
Yes, I have an English yellow lab named Ollie.

Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Kirk Cousins

What is your favorite possession and why?
My Chanel perfume because it’s my favorite smell on earth.

What is your Go-To karaoke song?
Time of our lives by Pitbull.

What is your dream vacation spot and why?
Stockholm, Sweden for the culture and food.