Blythe named first women's lacrosse coach

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Mount Mercy Director of Athletics Paul Gavin has announced that Angelia Blythe will be the head coach for women's lacrosse, which was introduced as the university's 19th varsity sport earlier this summer. She will begin that role on Aug. 15.

"Angelia brings a wealth of sport knowledge, playing and coaching experience, and professionalism that will assist in the development of this upstart program," said Gavin. "I look forward to working alongside her as she builds a nationally-competitive program while promoting and developing interest in the sport of lacrosse in our region."

Blythe was co-founder of the varsity girls' lacrosse team at Covenant High School in Indianapolis, then played on the Purdue University women's lacrosse club team that earned a Big Ten championship in 2012. She graduated from the Purdue School of Nursing in 2012, then earned a Master of Health Administration from the University of Cincinnati in 2015.

From 2016-18, Blythe was the varsity girls' lacrosse coach at Marist High School in Eugene, Ore. She led Marist to a wildcard playoff appearance in 2016 and was named the South League Coach of the Year in 2018 after guiding Marist to a South League co-championship that season.

"I'm very grateful to be given the opportunity to join the Mount Mercy athletic staff," Blythe said. "Lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the Midwest and I'm excited to share my experience and passion for the sport. Mount Mercy has a strong reputation for developing successful student-athletes and I look forward to adding to that through the new lacrosse program."