CAMP DIRECTOR: Heather McKay [email protected] Office Phone: (717) 796-1800 ext 2246
The 2024 season marks Heather (Greer) McKay's 17th season at the helm of the Messiah women's lacrosse program, a role she began in 2008.
COACHING INSIGHTS OVER THE YEARS
- 10 NCAA Tournament Appearances
- Seven Conference Championships
- 2009, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021
- Division III Metro Region Coach of the Year by IWLCA
- Seven-time Conference Coach of the Year
- 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021
- Coached Five MAC Scholar-Athletes of the Year
- Rachel Dirksen (2012), Lizzy Keeney (2014), Molley Devilbiss (2015), Brooke Gamble (2017), Rachel Delate (2023)
- Coached Seven Conference Players of the Year
- Emily Mumford (2014), Brooke Gamble (2015), Alexa Dipeso (2017), Kendra Herbenar (2018), Rachel Delate (2021 & 2023), Grace Gormley (2023)
- Coached nine Conference Rookies of the Year
- Kara Geiman (2008), Rachel Dirksen (2009), Maddie Comfort (2010), Lizzy Keeney (2011), Claire Stikeleather (2013), Brooke Gamble (2014), Courtney Wagner (2016), Rachel Delate (2021), Emma Hagg (2022)
- Coached 45 IWLCA All-Region (Metro) Honors
- Coached 18 IWLCA All-Americans
COACHING BIO
A 2002 graduate of Messiah University, McKay took over the program in 2008 following a brilliant playing career for the Falcons, serving as a four-year starter at the midfield/attack position. Highly regarded for her presence as an athlete and leader, McKay was team captain as a senior and led the team’s offensive front. Her 169 total points placed her 5th on Messiah’s career points list at the time. However, many of her own players have eclipsed that total in recent years.
McKay also was a three-time MAC All-Conference selection and a four-time member of the MAC Conference All-Academic Team during her career.
After graduating from Messiah, McKay traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland as part of the English Lacrosse Association. While living overseas McKay played for Home Scotland and also was the coach and director of lacrosse at Fettes College. She also coached with the Scotland National U-19 team, helping them to the 2003 World Championships hosted in Baltimore, Maryland.
Upon her return to the States, McKay was the assistant coach at Randolph-Macon College and Collegiate High School while earning a master’s degree in sports leadership/athletic administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.
McKay was also selected to coach the South team at both the 2011 and 2016 IWLCA North-South games, with her 2011 appearance being the first-ever for a Messiah coach.
A Boston-area native, McKay currently resides in Harrisburg, Pa.
COACHING BY SEASON
| Season | Overall Record | Conference Record | Finish | NCAA Appearance |
|---|
| 2008 | 10-7 | 6-2 | Semifinals | |
| 2009 | 14-5 | 10-1 | Champion | First Round |
| 2010 | 13-4 | 11-1 | Semifinals | |
| 2011 | 18-2 | 12-0 | Champion | Regional Semifinal |
| 2012 | 16-4 | 6-0 | Runner-Up | Regional Semifinal |
| 2013 | 10-7 | 7-1 | Semifinals | |
| 2014 | 11-7 | 6-1 | Runner-Up | |
| 2015 | 14-5 | 8-0 | Champion | Second Round |
| 2016 | 14-6 | 8-0 | Champion | Second Round |
| 2017 | 16-3 | 8-0 | Champion | Regional Semifinal |
| 2018 | 15-4 | 8-0 | Champion | First Round |
| 2019 | 6-12 | 6-2 | Semifinals | |
| 2020 | 4-2 | 0-0 | No Postseason | --- |
| 2021 | 18-1 | 8-0 | Champion | Regional Final |
| 2022 | 13-6 | 7-1 | Semifinals | Second Round |
| 2023 | 16-4 | 7-1 | Runner-Up | Second Round |
| Seasons: 16 | 208-79 | 118-10 | 7 Championships | 10 Appearances |
Last Updated: 8/10/23
Assistant Coach Kendra Herbenar
Kendra Herbenar returns to the women's lacrosse program for her fifth season as an assistant coach to the team in 2022-2023. Herbenar was a four-year member of the Messiah women's lacrosse team as a play from 2014-2018.
Herbenar played an integral role in Messiah's historic 2021 season, winning its fifth MAC Commonwealth Championship in the past six seasons while making its deepest NCAA Tournament run in program history. As the program completed in eighth undefeated (8-0) conference mark in program history, Herbenar helped guide the Falcons to several individual accolades which included three AVCA All-Region honors and a total of six All-MAC Commonwealth nods.
A 2018 graduate from Messiah University, Herbenar was a key player for Messiah women's lacrosse as she started all 19 games during her senior campaign. During her senior season, Herbenar collected 92 draw controls, 67 groundballs, and 57 caused turnovers.
In her career, Herbenar finished third in program history in caused turnovers (128), 10th in draw controls, and tied for sixth in games played (74). She also tied the program record for most caused turnovers in a game with eight against Buffalo State on Mar. 27, 2018. Following her senior season, she was named MAC Commonwealth Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-MAC Commonwealth, First Team IWLCA All-Metro Region, was selected to IWLCA Senior All-Star Game, and Second Team IWLCA All-American.
Last updated: 12/06/22