SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. -- The Mount Holyoke College Department of Athletics is delighted to have made Laurissa Montigny one of its first full-time assistant coach hires, as Montigny was appointed the assistant coach of the Lyons' field hockey and lacrosse programs prior to the start of the academic year.
Montigny was a four-year standout player for the Mount Holyoke field hockey team, starting all 74 games of her career and collecting 15 goals and seven assists, all while playing with unrelenting intensity. Montigny cited the programs' family atmosphere as one of her primary reasons for seeking the position. She and her sister, senior captain Jayonna Montigny, tied for the team scoring lead in 2023, recording 10 goals and three assists apiece.
"I have the utmost confidence in Laurissa. Even in her short time in this role, her impact has been evident as she hit the ground running from day one," said Andy Whitcomb, the 27th-year head coach of the Lyons field hockey team. This hire is a milestone I've been anticipating for much of my career, and having a former player and leader in this role makes it even more rewarding. I'm thrilled that we have someone who understands our program's intricacies and expectations and is committed to working hard to restore our program to national prominence."
Third-year head lacrosse coach Annie O'Byrne, a class of 2013 Mount Holyoke graduate, is equally enthusiastic to bring on a fellow Lyon alum who is fiercely dedicated to her alma mater as the program's first full-time assistant.
"We are thrilled to welcome Laurissa as our full-time assistant coach," said O'Byrne. 'Her work ethic, willingness to push beyond her comfort zone, and dedication to success were hallmarks of her career at MHC, and I am eager to have her passion and competitive drive on our coaching staff. Laurissa's energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to our program are truly unmatched, and I have no doubt that she will play an integral role in our team's growth and future success."
"I am beyond excited to be returning to the Mount Holyoke College Athletics family," said Montigny. "It's an incredible honor to come back to the school that shaped me as both a student and an athlete. I am so grateful to Coach Whitcomb and Coach O'Byrne for giving me this opportunity and a start to my coaching career. These programs hold a special place in my heart.
