University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Building the Pitt Program: Brittney Villhauer
7/13/2020 10:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Transfer midfielder talks Pitt Lacrosse
PITTSBURGH – Rising junior Brittney Villhauer has always loved lacrosse. Even from an early age, she could never imagine not being part of a team.
"I always knew that I didn't want to stop playing lacrosse," Villhauer said. "The thought of ever putting my stick down just never occurred to me. So, I figured that I would play until somebody told me I couldn't play anymore."
Villhauer first began playing lacrosse when she was nine years old. She joined Eagle Six lacrosse club early on, making lasting friendships with other players and coaches. When she began playing on her high school's varsity team at Blessed Trinity Catholic, she helped the Titans to back-to-back Georgia A-AAAA State Championships.
"My favorite part of the sport is the relationships and the bonds that you build with your teammates," Villhauer said. "It's unlike anything else. You just become so close with your teammates because it is such an intense and team-oriented sport. The bond that you build with your teammates is definitely my favorite part."
The Woodstock, Ga., native played two seasons at Jacksonville University before hearing of Pitt's varsity program. Villhauer first learned of the new Pitt program through teammates and former coaches.
"One of my teammates from Jacksonville had a coach that said they knew someone looking for transfers and to text her," Villhauer said. "So, I texted her and first heard about Pitt's new program. I entered the transfer portal around 9:30 and I was on the phone with coach Emily Boissonneault by 10:30."
Villhauer's experience playing for an NCAA team the past two seasons is essential as she helps to build the foundation of the Pitt program.
"I'm really excited because it's a chance to really define the program," she added. "We're going to be defining the culture and leaving this legacy for all the new players to come in and fulfill throughout the years."
While she is used to the time-commitment of balancing academics with athletics, the competition will be new for Villhauer. Playing in the ACC offers new competition and challenges for the midfielder.
"I would say it's the most competitive collegiate conference. It's always been a dream of mine to play in the ACC," Villhauer said. "I'm a little nervous just because it's such a high intensity. But, I think we're going to be ready for it. I'm really excited about it."
Villhauer is also excited to get to campus and finally meet her new coaches and teammates in person. She has spent the past few months talking with them over the phone in order to prepare for stepping onto campus in the fall.
"I think Coach Boissonneault is going to differ from coaches that I had in the past because she is very straightforward," Villhauer said. "She's going to tell you exactly how it is and exactly what she needs from you, but she's also still very current in the game. She stays on top of everything, like coaching the U19 Canadian team and coaching for a team that won the national championship," she said. "And, her being so understanding about how important my schooling is and the education that I am going to get really had a huge impact my decision."
As a rehabilitation sciences major hoping to become a physical therapist someday, Villhauer is very committed to her academics. Playing a varsity sport her past two years of college has helped her find the perfect balance of completing her studies and staying active.
Over the summer, Villhauer has been completing home workouts to prepare for starting at Pitt in the fall. Combining her previous knowledge of lacrosse with new workouts and support from her new teammates motivates Villhauer to be the best she can.
"I think that being the first lacrosse team to play that first game on the Pitt field is going to be an amazing feeling," Villhauer said. "I think that is going to define the program, and I'm really excited to be there for that."
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"I always knew that I didn't want to stop playing lacrosse," Villhauer said. "The thought of ever putting my stick down just never occurred to me. So, I figured that I would play until somebody told me I couldn't play anymore."
Villhauer first began playing lacrosse when she was nine years old. She joined Eagle Six lacrosse club early on, making lasting friendships with other players and coaches. When she began playing on her high school's varsity team at Blessed Trinity Catholic, she helped the Titans to back-to-back Georgia A-AAAA State Championships.
"My favorite part of the sport is the relationships and the bonds that you build with your teammates," Villhauer said. "It's unlike anything else. You just become so close with your teammates because it is such an intense and team-oriented sport. The bond that you build with your teammates is definitely my favorite part."
The Woodstock, Ga., native played two seasons at Jacksonville University before hearing of Pitt's varsity program. Villhauer first learned of the new Pitt program through teammates and former coaches.
"One of my teammates from Jacksonville had a coach that said they knew someone looking for transfers and to text her," Villhauer said. "So, I texted her and first heard about Pitt's new program. I entered the transfer portal around 9:30 and I was on the phone with coach Emily Boissonneault by 10:30."
Villhauer's experience playing for an NCAA team the past two seasons is essential as she helps to build the foundation of the Pitt program.
"I'm really excited because it's a chance to really define the program," she added. "We're going to be defining the culture and leaving this legacy for all the new players to come in and fulfill throughout the years."
While she is used to the time-commitment of balancing academics with athletics, the competition will be new for Villhauer. Playing in the ACC offers new competition and challenges for the midfielder.
"I would say it's the most competitive collegiate conference. It's always been a dream of mine to play in the ACC," Villhauer said. "I'm a little nervous just because it's such a high intensity. But, I think we're going to be ready for it. I'm really excited about it."
Villhauer is also excited to get to campus and finally meet her new coaches and teammates in person. She has spent the past few months talking with them over the phone in order to prepare for stepping onto campus in the fall.
"I think Coach Boissonneault is going to differ from coaches that I had in the past because she is very straightforward," Villhauer said. "She's going to tell you exactly how it is and exactly what she needs from you, but she's also still very current in the game. She stays on top of everything, like coaching the U19 Canadian team and coaching for a team that won the national championship," she said. "And, her being so understanding about how important my schooling is and the education that I am going to get really had a huge impact my decision."
As a rehabilitation sciences major hoping to become a physical therapist someday, Villhauer is very committed to her academics. Playing a varsity sport her past two years of college has helped her find the perfect balance of completing her studies and staying active.
Over the summer, Villhauer has been completing home workouts to prepare for starting at Pitt in the fall. Combining her previous knowledge of lacrosse with new workouts and support from her new teammates motivates Villhauer to be the best she can.
"I think that being the first lacrosse team to play that first game on the Pitt field is going to be an amazing feeling," Villhauer said. "I think that is going to define the program, and I'm really excited to be there for that."
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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