The Mitty women’s lacrosse team may appear small, but they play with a level of determination, skill, and enthusiasm that confirms they are anything but. As the program continues to grow, the team’s relentless effort is quickly translating into impressive results on the field.
Head coach Alyssa Dunlap brings over ten years of elite coaching experience to Mitty’s developing lacrosse program. A former Division I Athlete and two-time captain at Vanderbilt University, with coaching experience at Stanford, Coach Alyssa made the deliberate choice to return to the high school sidelines. saying she felt uniquely driven by a mission to be the mentor she never had. “I never had a coach that really…pushed me or demanded my best, and I felt like when I graduated college, I still had so much more to give,” Dunlap shared. As a result, her own coaching style has developed to value effort above all else, so that the team can “give the absolute best they can give.”
For Dunlap, the high school level offers a “blank canvas” that college coaching often lacks. At Stanford, Coach Alyssa felt like she was meeting athletes who felt they already had everything figured out, leaving them less open to growth. At Mitty, however, she has the chance to reach players during their most formative years, “I feel like there’s a lot more that I can do here to help prepare a kid for the world and for life, instead of getting them where they’ve already kind of made up their minds about certain things.”
Since arriving at Mitty, Coach Alyssa has focused on that transition. She not only wants to build player confidence, but also wants to prepare them for a life beyond lacrosse and to help them learn from the lessons the sport itself teaches.“The most rewarding thing about this program is watching players realize their potential,” she said. “I love being able to look back and show them the progress they made—not because it was given to them, but because they earned it.”
Moreover, what allows this team to flourish is not only their ability to work hard when the score isn’t in their favor, but also the connection they share. Senior co-captain Allie Bray states that the team’s biggest strength is “the bond that we have on and off the field.” These relationships built through team bonding activities like team dinners and sleepovers serve as lasting memories, eventually translating into competitive edge as the players learn to truly rely on one another.
Player Zoe Raffo seconds this, because despite being the only freshman on the varsity team, Zoe feels, “We are all connected– it’s like a family.” Even on the most difficult days, Zoe feels excited to be among her teammates and coaches. While the words “conditioning” or “fitness” are often dreaded by most athletes, Zoe cites conditioning with the team as one of her favorite memories of the season, “Everyone was suffering, but we were all having fun together.”
With a league season record of 9-1, the team is focused on the small improvements they can continue to make. As senior co-captain Katie Waltz states, “It doesn’t matter what the board’s saying. What’s most important to focus on is how you can get just 1% better each day.” Especially when the team plays difficult teams like Sacred Heart School or Menlo, they know the importance of keeping the effort high and enjoying the challenge that comes with getting the win. Both team captains emphasize the importance of a positive mindset, focusing on how every small win counts—whether it be getting a ground ball or saving what would have been a game-winning shot. Katie adds, “You only get four years, so you just got to enjoy the process and have fun with it. Enjoy the small wins.”
As this team builds toward competing with the top teams, they also aim to strengthen their team culture. With a foundation of connection and unity, the team is able to play in an environment where players enjoy coming to practice, even if it’s conditioning for the entirety of it. At the heart of their program, daily improvement and strong bonds contribute to their goal of building a lasting legacy for the program.