Alex Maitland-Ward became the first Hampton Bays girls varsity lacrosse player to sign a National Letter of Intent with a university when she penned her name on Pace University letterhead on Nov. 13.

“I am so excited,” said Alex, who hopes that her accomplishment serves as a stepping stool for fellow and future Hampton Bays girls lacrosse players.

The signing, said Athletic Director Drew Walker, is especially exciting since the Hampton Bays girls lacrosse program is relatively new, having started four years ago in the middle school and expanding shortly thereafter to the high school.

“For such a young program, this is great news,” said Walker.

With the signing, Alex has committed to playing on the Pace University Division II lacrosse team for at least one year, starting in July. The team, which competes across the Northeast, is somewhat similar to Hampton Bays’ team in that it is also still relatively new.  

That is one of the reasons Alex, who has played varsity lacrosse for the past three years, said she was attracted to Pace University. She was also drawn to the school for its human resources program, as well as its location and campus.

“After visiting the school several times and meeting with the team, I felt like Pace was a good fit for me,” said Alex, who also plays varsity basketball and volleyball, and is president of the FBLA, a member of the student council and class treasurer.

“We are unbelievably proud of Alex,” said high school Principal Christopher Richardt.  “Pace is getting an incredible young woman who shows off the best of what Hampton Bays has to offer academically and athletically.”