Liberty University Club Sports Athletics
Flames name captains, finalize 15-game spring schedule
12/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
As Christmas approaches, Liberty University men's lacrosse Head Coach Kyle McQuillan is busy gearing up for spring, announcing the Flames' four captains and finalizing the schedule for the upcoming season which begins Feb. 20 at home against Clemson.
"It feels like it's an eternity away, but if you look at a calendar, it's not too far off," McQuillan said. "I'm excited for guys to be able to get back in practice on Jan. 12. There's a big difference between practice in the fall and practice in the spring."
Highlights of Liberty's 2015 campaign include a spring break trip to Arizona for games against Arizona (March 10), Grand Canyon (March 12), and 2014 national runner-up Arizona State (March 13), after opening SELC Northwest Region play March 7 at George Washington. The Flames also have home dates with Davenport (Feb. 22), Michigan State (April 2), and Florida State (April 10), which dealt them three of their four losses last season.
Liberty concludes its regular season April 17 at Virginia Tech, a team it defeated at home in the regular-season finale last year to clinch the SELC Northwest Region title before losing to the Hokies in the SELC Tournament championship game. The Flames went 14-4 in their first season of competition at the MCLA Division I level and finished ranked No. 22 in the nation, narrowly missing a bid to the national tournament.
This season, Liberty will look for leadership from its designated captains — senior goalie Ethan Kamholtz, junior midfielders Bryce Mrakovich and Brett Bernardo, and sophomore defenseman Nate Whyte.
"It's good to find some balance where you have leadership all over the place from guys at different positions," McQuillan said. "They're all very different. They have different styles of play and they're not all the same type of leaders. Some of them speak louder with their actions and others with their words. Some are more emotional leaders and are able to connect with players on a spiritual level."
That is essential for developing character within the team and instilling values that will last well beyond the end of the season and graduation in May.
"We expect our captains not just to show up on game-day and call heads or tails," McQuillan said. "We give them a lot of responsibilities. They have made a commitment to the coaching staff and to each and every member of our team to grow them as individuals, which is just as important as growing them as athletes."
Kamholtz, who transferred in as a sophomore, is the only returning captain from last year's team,
"Ethan's always been a pillar of what we're trying to do defensively and he's been a huge reason for our success," McQuillan said. "He's a leader on and off the field and he does that very consistently. As a senior, he sees the writing on the wall and has an understanding of what he wants to accomplish and that motivation will transfer to the other guys."
McQuillan considers Mrakovich and Bernardo two of the best midfielders in the MCLA.
"Players gravitate to following and listening to those who have a significant impact on the outcome of games," he said. "Ethan has earned his stripes. These guys will have to earn them this season."
Whyte started as a freshman last season and quickly emerged as an on-field contributor and off-field role model.
"From Day 1, Nate has been able to come in and do everything we've expected him to do," McQuillan said. "A lot of the guys have a great respect for him, how he plays the game and how he lives his life, and we're giving Nate an opportunity to be a captain and lead this team with those character traits."
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer
