For senior Kelly Martins, years of hard work have finally paid off. On Nov. 14, the varsity lacrosse player signed a commitment to play for William and Mary next year.

Martins plays on the Langley varsity team, as well as a club team in Maryland. Her lacrosse career began six years ago, and has been filled with many accomplishments along the way – 2011 USA Today’s High School Sports Player of the Week, 2011 & 2012 Washington Post Recruit Watch List, and 2010 Varsity Lacrosse Coaches Award, just to name a few. In addition, she helped boost the Langley team to Liberty District and Northern Region championship titles in 2010.

“She’s a great asset to the team,” said senior teammate Ellie Glasgow.

“Kelly adds team leadership, on and off the field, to her individual strengths,” added Coach Richard DeSomma, who has been Martins’ coach on varsity since her sophomore year.

Early last year, Martins’ club team coaches put her in contact with the coaches at William and Mary. After visiting the campus and attending a three-day fall recruiting camp in Texas, Martins received an offer from the William and Mary coaches in January 2011.

“Having known since last year where I’m going to college really took a lot of pressure off the application process and eliminated a lot of college stress,” she said.

Martins is looking forward to being able to play lacrosse for four more years, at an extremely high level and competitive environment (William and Mary is a Division 1 school in lacrosse).

“William and is about as perfect a fit there could be for Kelly, for both the academics of the school and the level of their lacrosse program,” said Coach DeSomma.

“I’m both nervous and excited for next year, but I know that I’ll prepare myself and rise to the challenge!” Martins said.