Beavers have new coach, lofty goals this spring

By Chris Villani

Blackstone Valley Tech girls lacrosse Head Coach Jenine Grabau has been with the program for a couple of years, and her transition to leading the varsity program this spring has been a seamless one, thanks in large part to a deep and talented senior class.

“We have 10 seniors this year, and I am going to be heartbroken when they leave,” Grabau said. “All of them are very good, well-rounded players who are willing to be put in any position, whether it’s defense, midfield, or attack. They are my triple threats.”

Leading the way for Valley Tech are captains Ella McCann, Samantha Carroll, and Kallie Allen. BVT is also expecting to get big contributions from Abigail Noyes, Skylar Cournoyer, and Addie Taylor, among others.

The depth of the senior leadership is especially important for this year’s team, which has more than 40 girls in the program and a large freshman class. It has also helped Grabau adjust to her new role at the helm.

“It’s been the greatest; I have really enjoyed it and the girls have really accepted me with open arms,” she said. “They have been open to trying new things and thinking outside the box. We are trying to drill into them that we are a unit and a family and that we are hoping to be able to do great things this year.”

Grabau said she would like to see her team make it to the state vocational tournament this spring. While that is an overarching goal, the team also has a number of process goals like cutting down on penalties and being a more cohesive unit out on the field.

“I want to see them looking like a well-oiled machine,” the coach said. “They are on their way to that; we have a lot of potential to go far if we find the ability to work with each other.”

Even with a big senior class this spring, the Beavers are looking to replace half a dozen seniors who led the way a season ago. The players out on the field this season are strong, particularly on defense, Grabau said, describing that unit as “phenomenal.”

Valley Tech is drilling down on communication on the offensive end, including trying new things that are out of their comfort zone.

“We are working hard every day to get a little bit stronger,” Grabau said. “And they are getting there.”