Nielsen Adds Heneberry to Staff as Assistant Coach
7/17/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan women's lacrosse head coach Hannah Nielsen announced today (Monday, July 17) that Ana Heneberry will join her staff as an assistant coach. Heneberry brings five years of experience as an assistant coach to U-M, including the last three seasons at Boston University, and will work primarily with the Maize and Blue defense.
"I am extremely excited for Ana to join me on the coaching staff here at Michigan," said Nielsen.
"Ana brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience both from her coaching roles, most recently as a defensive coach under Liz Robertshaw at Boston University, and as a four-year standout and captain at Loyola."
Heneberry boasts five years of assistant coaching experience at the Division I level and was an All-America defender during her playing career at Loyola.
"I'm very excited to join Hannah Nielsen at the University of Michigan," said Heneberry.
"I look forward to working with such a knowledgeable and reputable coaching staff, and am grateful for the opportunity to work for such a prestigious university."
Most recently, Heneberry served as an assistant coach at Boston University for three seasons (2015-17), working primarily with the Terriers' defense. Heneberry helped BU reach the Patriot League semifinals in each of her three seasons. On an individual level, she coached the Patriot League Defender of the Year in 2017.
In addition to her assistant coach responsibilities at BU, she participated in the Jansen Leadership Academy and served as a member of the IWLCA Convention Planning Committee.
"Ana will have a heavy focus on the defensive end but will be able to provide invaluable insight all over the field and in many off-field duties," added Nielsen.
"My priority in this role was to find a dynamic, positive, experienced and hardworking coach, and I have without a doubt checked all the boxes, and more, with Ana. I am excited to build this program together with her!"
Heneberry transitioned to Boston University after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at High Point University (2013-14), where she was the defensive coordinator and worked one-on-one with the goaltenders. Heneberry helped guide the Panthers to back-to-back Big South championships and consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. In both seasons at HPU, she helped coach the Big South Defensive Player of the Year.
A native of Timonium, Maryland, Heneberry was a four-year standout defender at Loyola University Maryland from 2009-12. During her senior season in 2012, she helped lead the Greyhounds to their second straight Big East Conference title and second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. That same season, Heneberry represented Loyola as a team captain, was recognized individually as the Big East Preseason Defender of the Year, and was a member of the Tewaaraton Watch List. She became the second player in school history to record 100 caused turnovers and 100 ground balls. She was also named a third team All-American following her junior season in 2011.
During her playing career, she also served as the head coach of Diamonds Lacrosse Club in Baltimore, Maryland, and provided one-on-one instruction sessions to youth players.
Heneberry graduated from Loyola in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in communications with a specialization in public relations and advertising.
