Annie O'Byrne '13 was appointed as the ninth head coach in the 47-year history of the Mount Holyoke College lacrosse program prior to the 2022-23 academic year, giving the team a new leader dedicated to the holistic development of the team and the student-athlete. 

"We are excited to have Annie return to Mount Holyoke," said Director of Athletics Jodi Canfield. "It is always very satisfying to have alums return to lead programs; it's a positive reflection of the investment Mount Holyoke made in the student-athlete experience. Annie is passionate about lacrosse, she values our mission, and it will be exciting to watch this new chapter of Lyons Lacrosse."

In the nearly 10 years since she graduated from Mount Holyoke, O'Byrne has coached lacrosse at four institutions, including head coaching jobs at Curry College and Newbury College.

In December of 2021, she earned two master's degrees from the University of Florida. The first, a Master of Science in Sport Management with a concentration in Athlete Development, the second a Master of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology with a concentration in Human Performance.

"I decided to work toward both degrees at the same time, because they complement one another and I felt they would help me become a well-rounded coach, with an ethos rooted in knowledge," said O'Byrne. "There are evidence-based theories about the importance of a student-athlete's development being holistic. The aim is to prioritize the whole person, not just the 'athlete.'"

O'Byrne is well familiar with the life of a Mount Holyoke student-athlete. As a four-year member of the field hockey team playing under head coach Andy Whitcomb, she became the Lyons' starting goalkeeper, making all 17 starts in 2012 and ranking fifth in the NEWMAC in goals-against average.

"Being a student-athlete here was an informative experience for me," she said. "I learned what it meant to work harder than I had ever worked, athletically and academically. We were asked to compete with humility, integrity and heart – and that sticks with me.  I believe in the importance of being accountable to your team, your coach, yourself, and I hope I can have a similar impact on my players."

O'Byrne's first coaching role out of college was as an assistant for the Wheelock College field hockey program. During her tenure, she helped lead the team to three postseason berths and a conference championship game, while her players earned numerous all-conference accolades, including Rookie of the Year in both 2015 and 2016. 

She went on to serve as head coach at Newbury for two seasons, then moved on to a second head-coaching post at Curry College for the 2019-2021 seasons. In her first year at Curry, O'Byrne led the team's turnaround from a 4-11 record and eighth place in the Commonwealth Coast Conference to a 10-8 mark and fourth place in the league in 2020. Two of her players earned all-conference awards in 2019, and three did in 2021.

Most recently, O'Byrne served as the first assistant and offensive coordinator at Bates College for the 2022 season. She served as the team's offensive coordinator and also used performance psychology techniques learned at Florida to work through adversity on the field.

Mount Holyoke College 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 2024-25 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.