Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech lacrosse head coach Kristen Skiera announced the additions of three transfers on Monday. Defenders Mackenzie Beam (UAlbany), Molly Dunphey (Villanova) and Ainsley Malamala (Mercer) will join the Hokies ahead of the 2023-24 season.
Mackenzie Beam
Defense
Brooklin, Ontario
UAlbany
Beam joins Tech after a four-year stay at UAlbany, which was capped off with an America East title in the 2023 season. A native of Brooklin, Ontario, Beam earned first team All-Conference and All-Championship team recognition last season. Her senior year was her best statistically, as she claimed 40 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers in 20 starts. Beam competed for Canada in the Women's 2019 Lacrosse U19 World Championship, in which her country finished as a runner-ups.
Molly Dunphey
Defense
Ridgewood, N.J.
Villanova
Dunphey heads to Blacksburg with 50 career starts under her belt at Villanova since 2021. She ranks second on the team in ground balls (64) in that three-year stretch. In her senior season, Dunphey was named a team captain for the Wildcats. During that 2023 campaign, she recorded a career-high 27 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers, while Villanova more than doubles its win total from the previous season.
Ainsley Malalmala
Defense
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Mercer
Malamala comes to the Hokies after winning back-to-back Big South regular season and tournament championships with Mercer over the last two seasons. In those two years, the Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. native was one of four players to start all 39 games. Over the last three seasons, Malamala had the second-most caused turnovers (60) on the Bears.