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BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech lacrosse team has named its team captains for the 2013 season as it opened its fall season Monday morning. The squad voted just days before practice began and selected Christina Patten, Julia Heaps, Libby Rosebro and Brooke Martin as this year’s team leaders.

Patten, a redshirt senior, returned last season after suffering an Achilles injury that kept her out for her junior season. Already a staple on the Hokies’ backline, Patten wasted no time returning to the starting lineup in 2012. Entering her final season, the Chantilly, Va., native has played in 49 games, missing just two starts, and accumulated 36 ground balls and caused 17 turnovers.

Heaps was a dominant force for the Tech attack in her first two seasons, but saw her third cut short due to injury. Not missing a start as a sophomore, the Street, Md., native played in just four games in 2012, but tallied four points via three goals and an assist. Heaps will return great experience and scoring ability to the attack as she enters her redshirt-junior season with 33 goals and 19 assists to her name.

Rosebro hasn’t missed a start since the beginning of her sophomore season, giving the Hokies quality minutes at both midfield and defense throughout her career. An asset on both ends of the field, the Richmond, Va., native has accumulated 27 points, as well as 44 ground balls and 31 caused turnovers. Rosebro was named to the 2012 All-ACC Academic team, while also earning the team’s strength and conditioning award this season.

Martin has played in every game of her three-year career and has given the Hokies a strong scoring option on attack. The Hunt Valley, Md., native spent her sophomore season at midfield before transitioning back to the attack last year. Martin has scored 43 goals and assisted 16 more so far as a Hokie, also winning 31 draws. Martin was recently name to the All-ACC Academic team for the second time in her career this offseason.

As a unit, the four players have been key elements in Tech’s recent success, helping the squad to back-to-back winning seasons and the first ever 10-win season in program history. As leaders on the sideline and players on the field, they also helped their squad defeat then-No. 16 Boston College, 11-10 at home in 2011 and then-No. 7 Virginia 10-9 at home in overtime last season.

For updates on Virginia Tech lacrosse, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Lax).