Allie Hirst grasps both sides of sports. A 2024 graduate of Pinecrest High School, Allie will head to Longwood University in the fall. She’ll attend the Virginia school on a lacrosse scholarship. Along with Longwood, other schools from the Big South Conference recruited Allie, who finished at Pinecrest with a 4.0 GPA.
According to data obtained from MaxPreps.com, Allie played varsity lacrosse for four seasons. In 59 games, she scored 222 goals and 416 points. As a senior, she scored 91 goals and 60 assists. For that performance, she was named to the North Carolina Girls Lacrosse All-State Team.
Allie credits her success to physical and mental commitment, attributes she’s developed since starting in the game at the age of 5.
“Training is definitely important,” she said. “But you have to have a good mindset all of the time.”
Despite the numbers noted above, her senior year at Pinecrest — due to massive turnover — proved a challenge.
“It was a great season for us,” Allie, capable of playing attack, her primary position, and midfield, said. “We had 13 new players.”
One of three team captains, she takes pride in her achievements but also likes watching younger players progress.
“I feel like each season there are moments that made my year,” Allie said. “It’s exciting to see how far the new girls have come.”
Not surprisingly, Allie is pumped as she readies for the next level.
“I’m excited to train for college,” she said.
As is the case for any first-year player, there will be hurdles and adjustments at Longwood. Nevertheless, Allie intends on having immediate impact.
“My goal for college is to start as a freshman,” she said. “I’ve been working out and running most days.”
Her regimen includes both training at a gym and on her own.
She doesn’t participate — on a formal basis — in other sports but does coach golf.
“I golfed competitively up until high school,” Allie said.
Her mom is Charlaine Coetzee Hirst, a Class A LPGA member since 2011 and currently the LPGA Southeast Section’s vice president and chair of the LPGA Education Committee. Charlaine played on the LPGA Futures Tour from 1996-2004. She competed in the 1998 U.S. Women’s Open.
As for Allie, when not playing, training, or coaching, she relaxes in several ways.
“I love doing anything outside,” she said. “I love my dogs. I like hanging out with my family. And I like shopping.”
Longwood University is in Farmville, Va. The Lancers compete in the Big South Conference. They went 5-3 in conference play this year.
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Feature photo: Allie Hirst (right). Photo provided by the Hirst family. Photo credit/David N. Sinclair Photography.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Dave Lukow. Dave has been honored as both a lyricist and screenwriter. Among other publications he’s contributed to are the Buffalo News, JD Journal, Beckett Hockey, Seminole Player’s Life, Poker Pro, Walmart World, and All In.
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