Exciting News: Wood Joins Carolina Women’s Lacrosse Coaching Staff Permanently! | UNC Athletics

The University of North Carolina women’s lacrosse team has officially added Kayla Wood to its coaching staff. Last season, Wood served as a temporary assistant coach, stepping in when long-time assistant Phil Barnes took a leave to focus on family. Head coach Jenny Levy expressed her excitement about Wood’s permanent role, highlighting how she quickly adapted to the team’s defensive strategy.

Wood played a key role in the team’s impressive performance, helping the Tar Heels to an undefeated season that ended with a National Championship. They finished with a perfect 22-0 record and were dominant in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), going 9-0. Under Wood’s guidance, the defense ranked as the best in the nation, allowing just 6.9 goals per game and securing a scoring margin of 10.6 goals.

Interestingly, this strong defense was not just a stroke of luck. As Levy noted, “Kayla combined her extensive playing experience with her growing coaching skills,” and this combination paid off on the field. The team also boasted a great save percentage of .508, with standout goalie Betty Nelson leading the nation in goals-against average.

Reflecting on her return to UNC, Wood shared how special it was to work with a program that she loves so much. “It’s been a joy to work alongside this staff and accomplish our goal of winning a National Championship,” she said.

Before joining the UNC staff, Wood’s coaching career included stints as the head coach at Issaquah High School in Seattle and as an assistant at Princeton University. Her wisdom helped the Tigers reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament, making her a well-rounded coach.

As a former lacrosse player, Wood starred for UNC from 2018 to 2021, making it to the Final Four three times. Last year, she played a pivotal role in Team USA’s victory at the inaugural World Lacrosse Women’s Box Championship.

Phil Barnes, who retired after dedicating over 20 years to the program, praised the foundation he helped build. He leaves behind a legacy of three National Championships and multiple coaching awards.

Lacrosse is growing in popularity, with statistics showing an increase in youth participation. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, youth lacrosse participation grew by 20% from 2018 to 2022. With passionate coaches like Kayla Wood, the future looks bright for UNC women’s lacrosse and the sport overall.



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