LaMonica Welcomes 2024 Signing Class to Grounds

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Virginia’s head women’s lacrosse coach, Sonia LaMonica, announced today (Aug. 28) Virginia’s 2024 signing class, which includes 11 freshmen who will join the team in the fall.

Joining the Cavaliers are Fiona Allen (Hinsdale, Illinois), Sophia Conti (Babylon, N.Y.), Carly Kennedy (Aurora, Colo.), Gabby LaVerghetta (Baltimore, Md.), Livy LaVerghetta (Baltimore, Md.), Evie McMahan (Charlotte, N.C.), Juliana Murphy (Charlottesville, Va.), Abby Musser (Alexandria, Va.), Jayden Piraino (Dix Hills, N.Y.), Alex Reilly (Fort Washington, Pa.), and Payton Sfreddo (Rye, N.Y.).

“I’m very excited to welcome this incoming class to the University of Virginia and our women’s lacrosse program,” said LaMonica. “These first years bring an array of versatility to our squad. They are a collection of high-caliber players and even better young people. Our collective plan is to facilitate an exceptional competitive experience for them while they wear the orange and blue.”

Fiona Allen | Attack | Lakeshore
Hometown: Hinsdale, Ill.
High School: Saint Ignatius College Prep
Ht.: 5-5

• 2x USA Lacrosse All-American
• 2023 USA Lacrosse Academic All-American
• 2023 Most Valuable Player award
• 2023 All-State First Team, All-Sectional, All-Conference (Girls Catholic Athletic Conference)
• 2022 All-State Second Team, All-Sectional, All-Conference (Girls Catholic Athletic Conference)
• 2021 All-State Honorable Mention, All Sectional, All-Conference (Girls Catholic Athletic Conference)

Why UVA?
“I am incredibly excited to begin my journey at UVA and become a part of the exceptional women’s lacrosse team. The close-knit, family atmosphere and the dedication of my teammates and coaches to constantly improve and support one another is truly one of a kind to UVA. I look forward to contributing to and growing within such a passionate and driven community!”

Sophia Conti | Midfield | Long Island Yellow Jackets
Hometown: Babylon, N.Y.
High School: Babylon Junior Senior HS
Ht.: 5-7

• USA Academic All-American
• USA All-American HM
• 2024 All-American
• Insider Lacrosse All-America Senior game stand out
• 6x varsity letter winner
• Newsday Butch Delcave Athlete Award
• 3x All-County
• 2x All-Division
• 2x County Championship
• First-Team All-Tournament
• 2x Newsday Top-100
• NYSPSAA Zone award
• USA U16 Select & Combine
• 2x American Select Black
• 2x LILJ All Long Island team

Why UVA?
“What excites me most about joining the women’s lacrosse team is the culture. As soon as I stepped on grounds it felt like home and then seeing the dynamic of the team and how close everyone is made me realize that this is something I want to be a part of. “

Carly Kennedy | Midfield | 3D Colorado
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
High School: Regis Jesuit HS
Ht.: 5-3

• Varsity team captain
• First team all-league
• Second team all-state
• Team Most Valuable Midfielder Award

Why UVA?
“I’m super excited to be joining the women’s lacrosse program and to be a part of a competitive and tight knit team. I’m looking forward to building friendships and meeting new people!”

Gabby LaVerghetta | Attack | M&D Lax
Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
High School: Garrison Forest
Ht.: 5-4

• 2x IAAM lacrosse all-conference
• 1x IAAM soccer all-conference
• Scholar athlete
• 2x Nike Select- team Maryland
• Under Armor 150

Why UVA?
“I am so excited to join this amazing program and be surrounded by great coaches and players. It has been my dream to attend UVA and I can’t wait for the incredible opportunity ahead.”

Livy LaVerghetta | Midfield | M&D Lax
Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
High School: Garrison Forest
Ht.: 5-0

• 46 overall prospect and No. 23 midfielder according to Inside Lacrosse
• IAAM All Conference Team – Lacrosse – 2023
• 2x IAAM All Conference Team – Lacrosse
• NHSLS – All Tournament Team – 2021
• USA Lacrosse U16 Development Team – 2022
• 2x Nike American Select- Team Maryland
• UA 150 – Honorable Mention – 2021
• NGLL National Championship Tournament MVP – 2019

Why UVA?
“I’m very excited to be joining UVA and the women’s lacrosse team! The exceptional dedication and unwavering support within the team collectively contributes to making this program stand out as truly remarkable. I’m excited to represent this program, work with my teammates and coaches for its success, and build lifelong friendships that will drive me to excel on and off the field! Go Hoos!”

Evie McMahan | Attack | Charlotte Style
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
High School: Charlotte Latin
Ht.: 5-4

• 2x USA Lacrosse All-American
• 3-time North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association (NCISAA) State Champion
• USA Lacrosse All-Academic
• Charlotte Observer Mecklenburg County Female Athlete of the Year
• Charlotte Independent School Athletic Association (CISAA) Player of the Year
• Greater Charlotte Lacrosse Awards Offensive Player of the Year
• 2x NCISAA All-State 1st Team
• 2x CISAA All-Conference 1st Team
• 2x Charlotte Observer 1st Team
• NC High School OT 1st Team
• Team captain
• Set varsity programs single season goal record with 119 goals

Why UVA?
“I’m thrilled to join the UVA women’s lacrosse team because of the family-like culture and sense of camaraderie. The opportunity to compete at such a high level while receiving an elite education is very special.”

Juliana Murphy | Defense | CavLax Elite
Hometown: Charlottesville, Va.
High School: Western Albemarle
Ht.: 5-8

• USA Lacrosse All-American
• First-Team USA Lacrosse All-Academic (2023)
• Virginia High School Varsity First Team All-State 4A – (2023)
• Virginia High School Varsity State Champion – (2023)
• Virginia First Team All-Region 4A – (2023)
• Virginia Second Team All-Region 3A – (2022)
• Varsity Captain (2024)

Why UVA?
“After living in Charlottesville and being a Wahoo for my whole life, coming to UVA to join the Women’s Lacrosse program is a dream come true. I have known for many years that The University of Virginia is a phenomenal school with outstanding athletics, rigorous academics, a lively student life, a supportive community, a breathtaking campus, and so much more. In addition to having the opportunity to be a part of the Kinesiology program, I am ecstatic to get to play for the LaMonica’s and to be a part of the family that is UVA’s Women’s Lacrosse. I can’t wait to experience all that UVA has to offer and to contribute to such an amazing school and team.”

Abby Musser | Defense | Capital Lacrosse Club
Hometown: Alexandria, Va.
High School: St. Stephens & St. Agnes
Ht.: 5-6

• USA Lacrosse All-American
• Saint Stephens & Saint Agnes Varsity State Champion, 2021
• Saint Stephens & Saint Agnes Coaches Award, 2021
• Saint Stephens & St Agnes Independent School League Champion 2022

Why UVA?
“I am most excited to be coming into such a high achieving program and learn from the very best coaching/players who have made me feel so welcome and loved from day one. I am so incredibly grateful to be a part of the unmatched Virginia lacrosse family. Go Hoos!”

Jayden Piraino | Attack | Long Island Yellow Jackets
Hometown: Dix Hills, N.Y.
High School: Half Hollow Hills East
Ht.: 5-6

• Team captain
• 3x all-county (2021-22-23)
• Five-time varsity letterwinner (2019-20-21-22-23)
• Half Hollow Hills Girls MVP (2023)
• Half Hollow Hills Fox Strong Award Winner(2023)
• USA U18 Select Team
• News Day Top 100 Girls Lacrosse players
• Inside Lacrosse ID Experience Standout- attack
• 2x Under armor 150
• Best in Class selection
• 2x American Select Team Long Island
• Back of the Cage-Top 50 in class players
• Long Island Lax Recruits- All Long Island Honorable Mention

Why UVA?
“Charlottesville is truly a hidden gem as someone who originates from Long Island, NY. The grounds, atmosphere, athletics, traditions and community struck me as a place I would love to call home for my next 4 years. Being a part of the women’s lacrosse team already feels like I have a second family. Representing UVA in the ACC is truly an honor and competing at Klockner stadium is a dream come true.”

Alex Reilly | Midfield | HHH
Hometown: Fort Washington, Pa.
High School: Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
Ht.: 5-6

• 2024 USA Lacrosse Jackie Pitts Award
• USA Lacrosse All-American
• 5-year varsity letterwinner
• Team Captain as a senior
• 3x First Team All-Interacademic League
• 2x First Team All-Phillylacrosse.com
• Second Team All-Phillylacrosse.com (2022)
• 2x Team MVP

Why UVA?
“I am extremely excited to represent UVA as a student athlete. I look forward to working with my teammates and coaches to bring continued success to the legendary women’s lacrosse program. Can’t wait to get to work, Go Hoos”

Payton Sfreddo | Midfield | Predators Lacrosse Club
Hometown: Rye, N.Y.
High School: Sacred Heart Greenwich

• USA Lacrosse All-American
• 2021, 2022, 2023 High School Athlete Award
• Team captain in 2024
• 2023 Academic All-American,
• 2023 First Team All-New England
• Team ranked No. 9 in the nation, No. 1 prep school in New England

Why UVA?
“What excites me most about joining the women’s lacrosse team at Virginia is the opportunity to compete at a high level while making meaningful relationships with the girls around me. Virginia is a special place, and I am looking forward to being a part of the high energy and close-knit program.”