As the Hokies approach the 2024 season, get to know the newest faces of Virginia Tech lacrosse.
Marie Cacciabaudo
Midfield
Garden City NY
Garden City HS
What did the beginning of your lacrosse journey look like?
I initially started playing in third grade through our local team. I started out playing defense and just knew I loved the sport from the beginning.
When did you realize collegiate lacrosse was in the cards for you?
In seventh grade, I knew I wanted to start taking the sport more seriously. I was doing competitive dancing and thought dancing would be my life, but in seventh grade that was when I decided to step away from dance and focus on lacrosse.
What did your recruiting process with Virginia Tech look like specifically?
When I came on my visit here, I fell in love immediately. I know the mantra here is this is home, and I got that feeling immediately. The sense of family and the culture here is like nowhere else and I knew this was where I needed to be.
Was it a big adjustment coming to Virginia from New York?
The adjustment wasn't as hard as I thought it would be just because of our team. We have 45 older sisters, and they were so welcoming and loving, that it really wasn't that hard at all having all of them be there for me.
What has been your favorite part of practice so far?
I love it when we're doing our live play and going through 7v7 drills. The intensity and competitive spirit is super amped up. But you could be going hard at one moment, then turn to your teammate and tell them that was great, so no matter how competitive it gets we always hype each other up.
Besides your position, do you expect to contribute to the team in any other position this season?
Maybe some attack, I have been playing a little bit of that in practice. I like it, I played attack a little bit in high school, and I am always happy to help out the team wherever I am needed.
What are your academic goals while at Tech?
I am an HNFE major, so my goal with that after college is to become a physical therapist.
What would you say is your biggest asset to the team?
I like to say the energy I bring. I feel that I am a positive influence and I like to bring everyone up. Like if someones having an off day, just going over to them and saying hey it's ok. I think being high energy just allows the entire team to have a more fun practice.
Any fun facts about you?
I have two pet rabbits.
What makes Virginia Tech home for you?
Our team culture for sure. It really is like no other, I feel like I could go to anyone on the team for absolutely anything. That's the level of trust we have with ourselves and each other.
