Our Coaches
Izzy Jade
Co-founder, Offensive Coach
Originally from South Florida, Izzy started playing lacrosse in 5th grade. In high school, she was captain of her high school lacrosse team and helped the team to win 4 district titles and regional playoffs. She was on Xteam while in high school, which helped her develop her game and desire to play in college. She recently graduated from American University in Washington D.C. with a Major in Justice and Law and Minor in Psychology. As an Attacker for the Division I lacrosse team, Izzy learned the importance of discipline, teamwork, and creativity on the field. She hopes to spread her passion for lacrosse to the players she works with.
Since graduation, Izzy has become a 200 Hour RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) and is in the process of obtaining a 500 Hour Pilates Teacher Certification. Her favorite forms of yoga are Vinyasa and Power Flows.
Izzy has been involved heavily in the AGLA, serving as the Board President for the 2023/2024 season. She currently coaches at Notre Dame Prep alongside Sydney and Morgan.
“Yoga allows your mind and body to reconnect with each other while simultaneously detaching from reality. When you are on your mat, you can test your limits and deepen your mindfulness at your own pace. I wish I had an established yoga practice while I was an athlete because it really does allow you to recenter your mind and find absolute joy on the field.” - Izzy, RYT-200, US Lacrosse Coach
Sydney Anderson
Co-founder, Defensive Coach
Originally from Durham, North Carolina, Sydney started playing lacrosse in 7th grade and began playing club lacrosse for Carolina Fever in 8th grade. In high school, she was a four year letter winner in both field hockey and lacrosse, earning US Lacrosse All-American honors her senior year. She was nominated caption and led her team to four conference championships and their first ever state championship in 2016. Following high school, Sydney went on to play Division I lacrosse at the University of Notre Dame, where she double majored in marketing and psychology. As a defender for the Fighting Irish, she learned the power of tradition, excellence, vulnerability, and communication and hopes to share the importance of these values with the players she coaches.
Sydney has been involved in the Arizona Girls Lacrosse Association for the past four years both coaching and serving as the National Tournament Team Chair in 2022 & 2023. She currently coaches at Notre Dame Prep alongside Izzy and Morgan.
“As athletes we equate emotions as being weak, but in reality acknowledging the struggle is one of the strongest things you can do. It is the first step to achieving greatness both on and off the field as growth is never easy.” - Sydney, Unit3D podcast , US Lacrosse Coach
Diana Oduno
Staff Coach
Coach Diana Oduho is originally from Erie, Pennsylvania where she first picked up a lacrosse stick in the 9th grade. She was able to pick up the sport quickly as a midfielder, finishing her high school career as a 3-year team captain, 3x All-District selection, and 4-year letter winner.
Following high school, Diana went on to play Division II lacrosse at Tiffin University (Ohio) as a defender. She majored in Communications during her undergraduate studies and earned her MBA in Marketing through a 5th year of eligibility. Despite tearing her ACL her sophomore year, Diana had a successful career for the Dragons as a 2-year team captain, 3-year starter, and a 2019 Great Midwest Athletic Conference 1st-Team selection.
Diana is currently a head coach for Xavier College Prep's varsity high school team. She also coaches for Arizona United, a collaborative effort to bring top talent together to play on the East Coast. Her coaching philosophy is to create a positive learning environment while encouraging athletes to develop both on and off the playing field.
Morgan Whitaker
Staff Coach
Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Morgan discovered her love for lacrosse in 3rd grade, joining the Geronimo lacrosse program before playing club for Storm Elite throughout high school. In high school, she played Lacrosse, Field Hockey and Basketball, earning US Lacrosse All-American in her senior year. During her high school career, she sustained two ACL injuries her Freshman and Sophomore year and after a delayed recruiting journey, she decided to head to Ann Arbor to play lacrosse for the Michigan Wolverines.
Morgan played defense for the Wolverines for 5 seasons. During her college career, Morgan served as a captain her senior and fifth year. She earned All Big-Ten Second Team during those seasons and was a leader on and off the field. Throughout her college career she coached for local Michigan lacrosse program, Triumph Lacrosse. She also spent her time training and offering 1:1 sessions to young girls aspiring to play college lacrosse. After graduation, she relocated to Arizona to explore career opportunities while remaining involved in the lacrosse community. She joined the coaching staff of Notre Dame Prep Lacrosse, where she continues to share her knowledge, experience and love for the game.
Iliana Lopez, CSCS
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Coach Iliana is an AZ native and Arizona State University Alum. As a young athlete, she noticed the gaps in her training and decided to pursue her degree in Kinesiology to help future athletes train to reach their full potential.
Shortly after graduating, she worked for years in the physical therapy sector. There she helped therapists carry out rehabilitative programs for both athletes and non-athletes. Since completing her certification as a strength and conditioning specialist, Iliana has worked with athletes in sports such as volleyball, football, and basketball, to name a few.
Now with 5+ years of experience, Coach Iliana aims to apply her scientific knowledge to train athletes with the primary goal of improving athletic performance and helping prevent injury.
Iliana currently runs an online personal training business, teaches group training at a local studio, and works with young athletes. Now, despite being able to work at the pro level, Iliana enjoys helping young athletes develop their play to reach the next level of competition.
