As of spring 2020, the girls’ lacrosse team has a new coach after their last coach of three years stepped down. International Baccalaureate (IB) Math Studies, Financial Algebra, Integrated Math 1 and IB Math A&A SL Christina Ada volunteered to coach the program so it wouldn’t be lost. 

Ada has been teaching at Bonita Vista High (BVH) for 26 years. Although she has not played lacrosse before, she currently runs the youth lacrosse program in Chula Vista called the South Bay Outlaws and is the West Coast administrator for the Travel Program called Mad Dog Lacrosse. 

“I chose to coach because I have advocated for lacrosse, both boys and girls, for several years.  I knew the position was open and that I am qualified to fill it. I love the game and want to be able to share that with the girls,” Ada said. 

Ada and the previous Athletic Director (AD), Jason Murphy, have worked since December of 2019 to figure out who would replace the team’s previous coach. They worked to create the girls team schedule ahead of time in order to be prepared for the girls upcoming season.

Ada held a student meeting in her classroom during lunch on Jan. 21 where she explained her plan for the season and her qualifications as the team’s coach. Lacrosse player and senior Haley White has been playing lacrosse for five years and hopes Ada will lead the team down the right path. 

“At the meeting, she gave us her background and how she’s been involved with lacrosse, with Mad Dog and other teams. Given that, even though she hasn’t played I think that with all those resources [she] should be able to transfer that knowledge to our team,” White said. “She was the best fit for the position because before that we didn’t have [a coach like that]. So it’s pretty good considering the circumstances.”

Although Ada was hired as the new girls’ lacrosse coach, she expressed that she will require help to manage the entire team since there are a lot of players. Ada voiced her concerns about lack of internal assistance to the members during the student meeting. With the amount of girls signing up for the girls’ lacrosse team and only one coach, Ada has mentioned the possibility of there being no Junior Varsity (JV) team. 

 “I’m really fine with whatever she has planned for us because I just want to trust that she is going to take us down the right path,” White said. 

Junior Aleana Godoy has been playing lacrosse at BVH for three years. She began playing for the school’s team when the previous coach had first started working. Although she didn’t have a problem with her previous coach, she has expressed that she hopes Ada has a plan for the team to set them forward. 

As tryouts started on Feb. 18, there is still no clear roster with all the girls who wish to be part of the team. Once Ada gets to know the girls and their strengths and weaknesses, she will then devise a team strategy and “tweak” it through the season as the girls work on their skills.

“My goal [for this season] is to ensure that each girl that comes out to play improves their game both as individuals and understanding team play. All players, new and returning, will improve their stick skills. Lacrosse is a beautiful, simple sport when played right,” Ada said.