UDC Women’s Lacrosse Inks Five National Letters of Intent

Head Coach Cassandra Haase (right) and Assistant Coach Zhane Ruffin (left) discuss strategy pre-game last season.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- University of the District of Columbia Women's Lacrosse Head Coach Cassandra Haase has announced the program has received five signed National Letters of Intent for student-athletes who will enroll at the college in Fall 2019 and begin playing for the Firebirds in Spring 2020. Alaina Feather, Kayla Gray-Hillian, Terri Nashe, Da'zah Regusters and Sabrina Roberts comprise a still-growing list of high school student-athletes committed to UDC.

PHOTO GALLERY OF UDC LAX 2019/20 SIGNEES

"We are beyond excited to welcome these five young women into our Firebird family," the 2nd year head coach said. "Coach Ruffin and myself have worked tirelessly throughout our short time here at UDC to put things into place to push our program forward. These five are just the start, and we're not done for the Class of 2023."

Alaina Feather hails from Brecksville, Ohio, and plays for the Ohio Premier club team in addition to the Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School team. A 5'3 goalie with five years of lacrosse experience, Feather has thus far played two seasons of varsity lacrosse under head coach Kyle Drypolcher. Her sophomore season she had a 53-percent save percentage, and last year she had a 52-percent save percentage as a junior. Feather is a three-time Academic Honor Roll award recipient and volunteers with youth lacrosse camps. She plans to study Civil Engineering at UDC.

"Alaina fit in with our program as soon as she stepped on campus," Haase said. "I am excited to help her grow as a goalie and give her the opportunity to learn from our current goalie."

Hillian is a 5-4 right-handed defender out of Frederick, MD and Frederick High School. Last season, she helped Frederick HS to its most successful girls lacrosse season in the program's history. The Cadets, coached by Brandon Brewbaker, finished 10-5 overall while claiming their 8th consecutive Intra City Spires Cup Championship and a Sectional Title. She plans to study Biology at UDC.

"Kayla will be a huge workhorse for us in our defense," Haase said. "She brings a high level of dedication to our program that will help us grow."

Terri Nashe is from Shirley, NY and plays for the Liberty Lacrosse club team. Liberty Lacrosse is an elite travel lacrosse program for girls, and Nashe was captain of her team.

"Terri has an incredible love for the game, and we are fortunate to get her out of Long Island and into our nation's capital," Haase said.

Regusters is from Pottstown, PA and played for Pottstown Senior High School under head coach Brandy Scherer. At Pottstown HS, she was a Pioneer Athletic Conference First Team All-Division honoree and a 2017 Mercury All-Area Honorable Mention on PA Prep Live. She intends to study Biology at UDC.

"Da'zah is a three-sport athlete that has an intense focus that is hard to match," Haase said. "Her IQ for athletics is something special."

Roberts is a Woodstock, GA native who plays defense for the club team Fast & Furious. She attends River Ridge, HS where she is involved in many leadership roles with Beta Club and the National Honor Society. She was selected for the 2018 US team and summer ball at Fast & Furious, and last season for her club team, she registered 60 ground balls, 60 caused turnovers and 22 draw controls. She is a lettered dual-athlete (basketball and lacrosse) for three years and has received Defense Most Valuable Player along with a captain status in 2017-18. Roberts will study Architecture at UDC.

"Sabrina has had a great experience with lacrosse and basketball in Georgia," Haase said. "She will be bringing a southern charm to our program."

UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FIREBIRDS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS