WILKES-BARRE, PA (January 30, 2024) -- With the opening week of official practice under way, the King's College women's lacrosse team and Head Coach Katy Higinbothom announced their newest addition to the 2024 coaching staff in Nicole Blair.

"Adding Nicole to our coaching staff is a huge addition to our program here at King's," said Higinbothom. "After talking with her over the phone and in person, it was very obvious that we shared a lot of similarities on our goals, how we were going to reach those goals and, most importantly, what kind of experience we want to provide our student-athletes. I am looking forward to working with her as she has shown strong passion and knowledge about the game."

Blair comes to Wilkes-Barre after spending the fall semester as an assistant coach at Transylvania University where she managed recruits, planned practices and executed drills with a focus on skill, and developed plays and defensive strategies. She also held a role as the Head Women's Lacrosse Coach with the Big Blue Lacrosse Club in Lexington, Kentucky, collaborating with the other club coaches to create practice plans for the various age groups. Blair also managed her team during tournaments and helped individual players grow in their respective positions to prepare them for their upcoming seasons.

"I am unbelievably excited to join the King's College women's lacrosse coaching staff," added Blair. "Katy is someone I look up to in her coaching style and ability to lead a program and someone who I look forward to working with and learning from. After having an amazing experience playing in the MAC Commonwealth, I am so excited and grateful for the opportunity to be able to coach in the MAC Freedom."

A Columbia, Maryland native, Blair spent five seasons competing at Albright College on the Lion's defense, appearing in 62 career games with 49 starts, collecting 82 ground balls, and causing 50 turnovers. She earned the title of captain in her time at Albright while also earning the team's Most Valuable Defender of the Year award in 2023. Blair earned her degree in biology with a minor in public health and also participated in Albright's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the Athletics and Enrollment Management Committee, and the Student Government Association (SGA) as the Recording Secretary for the Executive Board.

Additionally, Blair earned valuable coaching experience as an assistant coach for the Howard County Flamingos club program from 2017 to 2019, helping with drill and sill development during practices and games and observing various coaching styles.

Blair's primary roles for the Monarchs include working with and developing the defensive unit and helping with recruiting and other day-to-day duties.