The U.S. Lacrosse Association conducted a survey in 2013 identifying lacrosse as the fastest growing sport in America at both the collegiate and the high school levels. During that year alone, more than 750,000 people participated in organized lacrosse leagues across the country, according to the participation survey. “There hasn’t really been a lot of girls’ lacrosse offered in Western North Carolina, so being able to offer a program that every single girl is eligible to participate in really levels the playing field,” said Rachel Hillhouse, director of the Asheville Edge girls’ lacrosse. In Western North Carolina, lacrosse is growing, with new club teams showing up annually. Asheville Edge Lacrosse is a new club that launched in June. In the nation, North Carolina is up 991 percent, making it the state with the highest growth rate from 2001 and 2009. “Lacrosse has always been a very impactful thing in my life, and I wanted to be able to share my passion for the sport with other girls. Every girl that has tried it for the most part seems to be falling in love with it,” Hillhouse said. Hillhouse has played since she was 8 years old and said she is working to expand the love of the game in Asheville. At this point, six club leagues and three schools in the Asheville area have existing teams. Male teams include; Asheville Empire, Peak Lacrosse, YMCA Lacrosse, Asheville Lacrosse Club, Christ School, Asheville School and Gladiator Lacrosse. Female teams include; YMCA Lacrosse, Asheville School, Carolina Day School and Asheville Edge Lacrosse. “We’re just trying to expand as we gain interest in the community,” Hillhouse said. Recently, Hillhouse has paired up with Valley Springs Middle School to hold a clinic for the gym classes in hopes to spread awareness for the sport. “We were able to reach out and just expose the sport to so many girls,” Hillhouse said. Sally Christman, Physical Education instructor at Valley Springs, hosted the clinic with her classes. “They taught the fundamentals of lacrosse and did an excellent job. It went very well. We like it when folks like that come in and can take a whole group. I’d love to see them come back in the spring,” Christman said. According to Hillhouse, seven or eight girls from Valley Springs developed a deeper interest in the sport and came out to the fall ball practices held on Sundays at Fletcher Park. She said they all plan on returning for the official spring season for Edge Lacrosse. “I think they made a connection with some of the kids, and they can pursue that beyond the classroom,” Christman said. Hillhouse has also reached out to other middle schools in the area to implement more clinics, but no official plans have been scheduled. “We’re really looking to expand and to grow the sport. We’d love to be able to bring it in and offer it at area high school and middle school programs. That’s another reason we do community outreach--to be able to gain more exposure and get more kids interested, and then try to eventually get into the school systems,” Hillhouse said. An official team has never been sponsored by Roberson; however, when lacrosse first started coming to Asheville, TC tried to organize a club multiple times. Students working with Athletic Director Laura Beatty attempted to create a team in 2010. Prior to that, the previous athletic director, Fred Park, tried to form a club team as well. Ultimately, the teams faltered, but outreach for the sport, like the P.E. clinics, has not decreased. Christman said she would support the development of a team at Roberson or Valley Springs, but some of the issues include time, field space and proper coaching. Junior Bryson Case plays for Asheville Empire Lacrosse. He wanted to get involved because his brother played. He began his freshman year and has seen growth in the participation. “My freshman year there was only three people at TC (playing lacrosse), and last year there were about 10 or 15,” Case said. However, Case added that trying to get his friends involved has proven difficult since many of them play other spring sports already. He believes lacrosse has many great aspects that his friends are missing out on. The physicality is one of his favorite aspects of the sport. “It’s kinda like football, except there’s a little bit more contact, and you get to hit people with a stick,” Case said. Hillhouse not only enjoys coaching the sport, but also shaping a relationship based on the love the game with her players. “I love being able to build a relationship with players beyond just lacrosse. It really helps to build up that team atmosphere,” Hillhouse said, “We’re always trying to empower girls through the game of lacrosse and community interaction.”