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08/20/2024 12:13 PMGrace Ishman is not so much concerned about padding her stats by being a sharp-shooting and sniping scorer. For her, she is always focused on the grander picture and the collective mood and efforts of the team–netting her a big-time promotion in the near future.
The incoming Valley Regional senior played soccer from fourth to sixth grade before taking a hiatus from sports. After watching her brothers play the sport, she took up lacrosse in ninth grade and worked her way into a starting attacker spot for the Warriors. After being a lynch pin to the group as a junior this past spring, Grace will serve as a senior captain next season.
“I love how this team is so supportive of each other, and with the sport itself, I like how it is so different and so competitive,” says Grace. “My success has just come from how hard I work and how hard I push myself to do better. My previous captains have also helped me. My passion and love for the sport drove me to where I am now.”
One would think that at an offensive-focused position, they would be attracted by the litany of scoring chances. Yet when it comes to attacker, Grace simply loves the opportunity to assist other tiers of the turf to the point where she cannot honestly think of any hardships with the assignment.
“Playing attacker, I love helping the team,” Grace says. “We struggled with defense this past year, so the attackers helped guide them. They also did the same for us whenever we needed help on attack. I love how we guide and help each other. I just love helping out in any spots on the field.”
When Grace might have a moment of mental weakness, she always goes to her support squad of colleagues and coaches to give her that small but essential boost. She adds that when it comes to bettering herself, she always sets up a personal objective to keep the progress steady.
“I always talk to coaches or teammates and captains; I depend on them,” says Grace. “For myself, I always make sure to set goals for myself. Past teammates told me to do that because it helps me focus on what I need to do in order to be a better player.”
Grace does not concern herself too much with her stick handling or passing ability when it comes to assessing her skills. She is more concerned with her prowess as a leader among her peers while being an encouraging and listening ear to others.
“I think some skills I have mastered pretty well have been the ability to lead and just being there for my teammates,” Grace says. “I am very into teamwork and making sure everyone on the team is feeling okay. I think one of the things I can improve upon, though, is on-field communication with the team.”
When comparing and contrasting her last two campaigns with Valley, Grace recalls that she much enjoyed the latter rather than the former. The defense may have been a bit short on experience, though they certainly came up big as the days and games unfolded.
“Compared to my sophomore year, we made a lot of progress this past year,” Grace says. “We got better as the year went on, especially on defense. We had a lot of returning players on attack and in the midfield, but we had a lot of new defenders. Our team also developed a lot as a group, too. We strengthened our team bonding and communication. I think this year was one of my favorite years on this team.”
Valley girls’ lacrosse Head Coach Alex Rose commends Grace for her tenacity when it comes to putting in the work on a daily basis. She motivates others around her to raise their game, while showing belief in her own abilities.
“Grace's work ethic is second to none. Whether it's putting in extra hours on the field, seeking feedback, or supporting her teammates, she consistently strives to elevate her game and her team's performance. Over the past season, she developed a stronger presence on offense, showing increased confidence in her decision-making and execution. Her determination to succeed is inspiring to her teammates and coaches,” says Rose. “As we look forward to the upcoming season, Grace's role as a captain will be even more significant. Her leadership qualities, combined with her ever-growing lacrosse skills, position her as a crucial figure in guiding the team. We are excited to see her take on this expanded role and have full confidence that she will continue to lead by example, pushing herself and her teammates to new heights. Grace's journey from a developing player to a team leader is a testament to her dedication and passion for the game, and we can't wait to see what she will accomplish in the season ahead.”
Grace looks to start up the ship of synergy next spring, when she and the Warriors return to the field for her send-off season. As a team captain, she looks to make the fresh faces feel right at home from the jump, while looking for the best way to get her message across.
“For the team next year, we want to get to know the freshmen more and welcome them while sticking with team bonding,” says Grace. “We want everyone to feel included because you need that inclusion to help everyone connect on the field to succeed. For myself, we can all improve in some way, and I want to improve on my communication skills.”