Academy of Notre Dame’s Mikayla Dever is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week

Dever, a junior, leads the Irish in points scored, coming up with big performances in recent big wins against Agnes Irwin (three goals, two assists) and Holton Arms (three goals, three assists). Academy of Notre Dame head coach Xan Zimatore said, “We needed a crease attacker/feeder role filled in our attack this year and I thought Mikayla was the perfect choice because of her lacrosse IQ, poise, and determination. She has shown a lot of maturity and confidence in big games. Mikayla is a fighter and the ultimate teammate.”

Q: What aspects of your game did you work on most during the off-season?

A: I mostly worked on my shot. I wanted to be able to shoot right-handed and left-handed from everywhere on the field, including 8 meters. I also worked a lot on dodging, which I think helps with my game behind the crease.

Q: Tell us a little about your start in lacrosse. What originally attracted you to lacrosse? Who have been your most important lacrosse mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you?

A: I started playing lacrosse in second grade for Marple Newtown Township. I was attracted to lacrosse because it was something new in my family. I also grew up playing basketball, which was more of the family-oriented sport at the time. Ever since I started playing, my family has been a lot more involved in lacrosse. The most important lacrosse mentors in my life have been my mom; my club coaches, Amanda Kammes, and Kate Henwood; and my school coaches, Xan Zimatore, and Lindsay Byrne. From all of these people I have learned to always give 110 percent, to never give up, and to always believe in myself. As I play different positions and have different roles on each team, I have learned to be a versatile player, but have kept these as my roots and strengths throughout the years.

Q: What in your opinion have been the biggest keys to your scoring proficiency this season?

A: I think having smart teammates and great motions are both keys to my scoring proficiency because working with girls who connect well together makes a huge impact on our team’s success. With majority of our team returning varsity, it was an easy transition into the season, and the motions came natural to us.

Q: Briefly describe for us your pre-game preparation (physical, mental) on the day of a game.

A: On game day, I wear my uniform to school and make sure I hydrate. Before the game, my team and coaches meet, and go over the game plan. We hype each other up for the game, and carry that energy onto the field into warmups. This year I started a new tradition where I shoulder bump each person during stick check.

Q: What uniform number do you wear for Academy of Notre Dame lacrosse? Is there a reason you picked this number – does it have any significance to you?

A: This year I wear No. 4 for Notre Dame lacrosse. This is the first year I’ve worn this number, and although it doesn’t have any significance to me, I have liked wearing the number. The past two years I wore No. 10. However my younger sister has always worn and loved No. 10 for both basketball and lacrosse. She was a freshman this year, so I passed down No. 10 to her.

Q: Tell us a little about your lacrosse career outside of Academy of Notre Dame. What has been your most memorable non-Notre Dame lacrosse experience?

A: My most memorable non-Notre Dame lacrosse experiences have been with my NXT club team. I have played on that team since 8th grade, and I have learned so much playing for those coaches and with that team. I have even started coaching some NXT events for the past two years now. It has been a great overall experience.

Q: What is your favorite school subject? What do you think you might want to major in at college?

A: My favorite school subject is Math. I would like to major in Business in college.

Fun facts – Mikayla Dever

Favorite TV show: Friends.

Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.

Favorite place to visit: Sea Isle City, N.J. and North Cape May, N.J.

Person I most admire, and why: “My grandfather was diagnosed with leukemia when I was in 7th grade, and I admire him most because he teaches me to keep fighting every day, and to never give up. He tells me to give my heart into everything I do.”

Family members: parents Ed and Colleen, younger sisters Julia and Christina, older brother Chase.

(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)