For most women's lacrosse student-athletes, their playing days end when their education ends. Unfortunately, there just aren't many professional or overseas opportunities to continue playing post-collegiately. However, one Georgian Court alum is proving to be an exception to that rule. Xena Valenzuela, a 2018 Georgian Court graduate, is still playing eight years later and doing so on one of the biggest stages, representing her ancestry and her country of Mexico.
Like many of her teammates, graduation did mean the end of Xena's lacrosse playing career. At least for a short while. That is until 2020 when an email went to then-Lions Coach Amy Rizzo, seeking players of Mexican heritage for the Mexican National team. Coach Rizzo had one former student who fit the criteria and brought up the idea to Xena. It was a long process made even longer by the COVID-19 pandemic, but Xena finally became an official member of the Mexican National Team in 2023.
"I did not know playing for a national team was even a possibility while I was a student at Georgian Court," said Valenzuela. "The opportunity to be not only a member, but a captain of the Mexican National Team is beyond my wildest dreams."
Since joining the team, Xena and her team have traveled across the US and beyond, competing in cities like Houston, Baltimore and Boston as well as internationally in countries such as Canada and Poland. She's competed in world tournaments including the 2026 regional Olympic qualifier and won a silver medal at the DII Women's Lacrosse Championship event in Wroclaw, Poland. An historic finish that was the most successful event in the history of the Mexican National program.
"I will always remember the post-game ceremony and getting that medal placed around my neck – a tangible testament to the hard work and hustle of every single one of my teammates, and the growth we have endured together as a program."
Before all the international tournaments, worldwide travel, medals and awards, there was Georgian Court.
"I knew I wanted to stay local being that I wanted to be an educator post-college. I picked up a lacrosse stick my junior year of high school and when [Coach Rizzo] started recruiting me, I knew I could have it all in one place."
Xena certainly made the most of her time at Georgian Court to ensure she did have it all - both in the present and the future. She graduated in four years with her degree and was a champion on the field. But between school and lacrosse, it was a balancing act that she's been working hard at for more than a decade.
"Being a student-athlete helped most with learning how to be flexible and balance several things at once. Growing up in athletics and continuing that path in college really rooted me in hustle, hard work, and always wanting to strive to be my best. These qualities have helped me become successful in my post-college career path as a dependable and collaborative employee."
When she isn't out on the field, Valenzuela has transitioned from teaching to Education Technology. After teaching elementary school for a brief period, Valenzuela is now a Manager of Customer Success at EdTech company, BrainPOP. A career path that started with a Mathematics and Dual-Certification in Education with a minor in Psychology at Georgian Court.
In all things athletically and academically, Valenzuela didn't just strive to be the best, she was the best. From 2015-18, Valenzuela played in 71 games. She was a three-time First Team All-CACC award winner and was the league's Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2018, still the only Lion to ever earn the award. She is also still the Lions all-time record holder in career ground balls and is second in caused turnovers while also being in the top-10 in draw controls, shots and woman-up goals. She did that all while working on her degree and earning a spot on the CACC All-Academic Team.
Valenzuela still holds the top-three single seasons for ground balls in Lions history, with her high of 84 coming as a senior in 2018. It wasn't the individual success though that Xena remembers most. That same year in 2018 also came with a second straight CACC Tournament Championship.
"Winning back-to-back conference championships would have to be [my favorite GCU Athletic memory]. Nothing compares to running towards that CACC banner with your teammates and best friends."
Those same Georgian Court teammates? They're still her friends and they're still cheering her on.
"Having friends and family watch me, whether that is in person or on a live stream, is one of the best feelings."
This latest endeavor has also become a family affair of sorts for Valenzuela. "My family and husband travel all over to see me play internationally. My parents, my sister, my godsons, my husband's family - they have all come to a number of events and games. My husband has even become our team photographer over the years!"
The family connection isn't just on the field though, as Xena explains, "Being that my Mexican heritage comes from my dad has also allowed us to bond and become closer throughout this journey. My dad has traveled to several of my tournaments and events and getting to go through the dual-citizenship process with him was extra special."
There isn't one roadmap yet for collegiate women's lacrosse players hoping to continue playing after graduating, but maybe Xena is the one plotting the course. Her advice to current and future student-athletes: "Always stay open-minded and be patient for your next opportunity. Hustle and hard work beat talent, so never give up on the things you want to accomplish."
As Xena found out, those opportunities can come when they're least expected and lead to breathtaking and challenging new experiences. At 15 years old, she had never played in a single lacrosse game. By college graduation, she thought she had played in her last. In between, that's what lit the spark for a new life-changing journey that she never expected.
"Getting to represent an entire country and culture while playing the sport I love is something I will never take for granted. As someone who only picked up a lacrosse stick for the first time at 16-years-old, lacrosse has given me more than I could have ever imagined."
