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BLACKSBURG, Va. -- The Virginia Tech athletics department and head lacrosse coach Megan Burker have announced the hiring of new assistant coaches Mallory Poole and Kim Kolarik. Poole joins the Hokies after spending the last two seasons as the head coach at Bloomsburg University, and Kolarik comes to Tech after serving as an assistant coach at Lehigh last year.

“I am thrilled to have Mallory and Kim join our program,” Burker said of her new assistants. “They each bring great enthusiasm to the field and a strong passion for teaching, which will make them a great fit for our program. I know their energy and dedication will help lift our team to the next level and set a great example for our players.”

At Bloomsburg, Poole led a young Huskies team with 11 freshmen to a 9-8 overall record and a 7-5 mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) during the 2014 season, guiding Bloomsburg back to the conference playoffs. In her first year as a head coach in 2013, Poole guided the Huskies to 10 wins and a bid to the PSAC Championships.

Poole arrived Bloomsburg after serving three years as an assistant at Stevens Institute of Technology. Prior to Stevens Tech, Poole was an assistant coach at Dartmouth College for one season following a decorated career at C.W. Post. Poole, a four-time IWLCA All-American, helped the Pioneers to three-straight NCAA Tournaments and a D-II National Championship in 2007. She will serve as both the recruiting and defensive coordinator for the Hokies.

As an assistant at Lehigh, Kolarik worked with the goalies, while also assisting with practice plans, recruiting, budgeting and team travel. Prior to her year with the Hawks, Kolarik wrapped up a standout-playing career at Virginia. She helped lead the Cavaliers to a top 10 ranking and four NCAA Tournament appearances. Nominated for the Tewaaraton Award as a senior, Kolarik was a VaSID All-State Second Team performer and played in the IWLCA/Under Armour North-South Senior All-Star Game.

Kolarik, who will manage the goalies, team travel and video breakdown, also adds coaching experience from her playing days. While at Virginia she served as co-head coach for Chesapeake Club Lacrosse based out of Annapolis, Maryland. She was primarily responsible for the instruction of the goalies. She was also a goalie coach for the Charlottesville Lacrosse Club in Virginia.

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