How Ashleigh Chapin found lifelong friendships, leadership, and purpose through club lacrosse at the University of Texas.

For Ashleigh Chapin, lacrosse has always been more than a sport, it has been a constant source of joy, growth, and connection. From learning the game in her Mercer Island backyard to competing for the University of Texas Women’s Club Lacrosse team, the sport has shaped nearly every stage of her life.

Now a rising senior at the University of Texas at Austin, Ashleigh is pursuing degrees in Marketing and Entrepreneurship in the prestigious McCombs School of Business. While academics keep her busy, lacrosse remains one of the defining parts of her college experience. This fall, she’ll take on an even greater role after being elected by her teammates as both Vice President and Team Captain for her senior season, a testament to the respect she’s earned through her leadership, work ethic, and commitment to the program.

Ashleigh first picked up a lacrosse stick in elementary school after being introduced to the sport by her older brother, Hank. Growing up, the siblings spent countless hours playing together, and those early backyard practices quickly turned into a lifelong passion.

“I started playing as soon as I could hold a stick,” she says. “Hank taught me how to play, and those memories are still some of my favorites. Lacrosse has always been rooted in the time we spent together.”

While the competition keeps her motivated, it’s the people she’s met along the way that have made the biggest impact.

“Some of my best friends, from Mercer Island to UT, have come into my life through lacrosse,” Ashleigh says. “The sport has taught me resilience, commitment, leadership, and respect. It’s helped me grow not just as an athlete, but as a person.”

Those same qualities have naturally led her into leadership. Being elected Vice President and Captain by her teammates is an honor Ashleigh doesn’t take lightly, and she looks forward to helping guide the program through her final season while continuing to foster the supportive culture that has meant so much to her.

Balancing a demanding course load with club athletics isn’t always easy, but Ashleigh believes it’s made her stronger. Between practices, travel, and schoolwork, she’s learned valuable time management skills while staying active and connected to a supportive community.

“It’s definitely a balancing act,” she explains. “Most of my teammates are in challenging majors, so we keep each other accountable both on the field and in the classroom.”

That sense of community is what stands out most about the University of Texas Women’s Club Lacrosse team. Ashleigh describes her teammates as driven, welcoming, and genuinely supportive. 

The relationships extend well beyond practices and games, creating friendships that have become one of the highlights of her college years.

“Lacrosse has made my college experience so much more meaningful,” she says. “It’s given me friendships across different grades and a sense of structure and purpose outside of academics. I’m so glad I decided to keep playing after high school.”

Looking back, Ashleigh has one piece of advice for younger athletes preparing for college: don’t be afraid to get involved.

“If you’re even thinking about joining a team or club sport in college, do it,” she says. “You won’t regret giving it a shot, and you might just meet some of the best people in your life.”

Before every game, you’ll find Ashleigh listening to good music to get in the right mindset. She still looks up to her Mercer Island High School coach, Lyndsey Gillis, whose lessons continue to influence how she approaches practices, leadership, and competition today.

Whether she’s competing on the field, mentoring younger teammates, studying in the classroom, or grabbing a celebratory burrito at Cabo Bob’s after a game, Ashleigh Chapin continues to prove that success isn’t measured only by wins and losses. It’s built through dedication, humility, leadership, and the relationships that make every season worthwhile. As she prepares to lead the Longhorns into her senior season as both Vice President and Captain, there’s no doubt she’s leaving a lasting impact on the program and carrying the values she first learned on Mercer Island with her every step of the way.