National champion Smigielski to play NCAA lacrosse, offers praise to Kamloops mentors

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Alivia and Beckett.

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Beckett and Alivia are sibling Snakes, teammates with the junior B Kamloops Venom. 

“The Venom honestly has been such a huge help,” she said. “It’s helped my athleticism. All the coaches are so amazing and have helped me through my recruiting journey. The boys kind of hustle me around, but they make me a better player.” 

Alivia and Beckett.

Acceleration Fitness and owner Greg Kozoris also got their flowers from Alivia. 

“I’m very lucky to have amazing trainers at Acceleration who not only care about me as a person, but care about me as an athlete,” she said. “Koz is such an amazing person and I’m always welcome in that gym. Every time I step in there, I know I’m ready to train and ready to hustle. It’s made me overall a better athlete.” 

Alivia secured her first national title last year, registering an assist for B.C. in a 4-2 victory over Alberta in the Canada Summer Games female box lacrosse gold-medal game in St. John’s, Newfoundland. 

“That was the most unreal tournament I’ve ever been to,” she said. “Coming home with the gold and getting to celebrate with my teammates makes me grateful that I get to play this sport.” 

The self-described “aggressive” rearguard helped B.C. to gold last month at the Under-19 women’s field lacrosse national championship – the Jenny Kyle Cup – in Saskatoon. 

Alivia tallied one assist and two penalty minutes in a 20-5 win over Alberta in the title tilt. 

“Being able to know that I can compete with some girls that are committed to good, crazy D1 schools makes me feel like, wow, I put in all this work and it’s really paid off,” she said. 

Alivia said she sent about 2,000 emails to post-secondary institutions and had offers from NCAA Division One schools. 

In June, with her Grade 12 year ahead of her at South Kamloops Secondary, she announced a verbal commitment to NCAA Division Two Regis University of Denver, Colorado. 

“I really love the location and the coaches gave me such a good opportunity,” said Alivia, noting she has been offered athletic and academic scholarships. “The girls on the team were all so welcoming.” 

Alivia said she wants to make an impact at the NCAA level in her freshman campaign and set an example for girls in the Tournament Capital. 

“I’ve had such good opportunities in Kamloops,” she said. “I think I need to give the girls that kind of look up to me the opportunities I’ve got, and I think even give them more opportunities, and help coach and do one-on-ones and really make an impact in Kamloops.”