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Mt. Lebanon duo earn All-America honors in lacrosse

By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 12 min read
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By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Ally Klaber

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By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Lexi Gibbons

Two of the best female lacrosse players in southwestern Pennsylvania played at Mt. Lebanon and had sisters who were 100-goal scorers. Yet that did not stop Ally Klaber or Lexi Gibbons from leaving their own mark on the program. Days before graduation from Mt. Lebanon, they placed an exclamation point on their scholastic careers as the United States National Lacrosse Association named both of them to its All-America list.

“Ally and Lexi have been great, great leaders and people for Mt. Lebanon lacrosse and the community,” said Lebo skipper Brian Kattan.

As four-year starters, they played on one WPIAL championship club, four WPIAL Final Four teams and in two PIAA state tournaments. Lebo lost in the WPIAL semifinals the past two seasons; falling to eventual champion, Pine-Richland, 16-12, in 2017 and to Sewickley Academy, 15-14, in 2018.

Like father, like daughter

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Ally Klaber gave her dad the best presents he could ever receive on Father’s Day. One, she graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School with highest honors and a 4.0 GPA. Two she garnered All-America honors for her lacrosse play.

Noting how Doug Klaber played lacrosse at Bucknell University before graduating in 1986, Ally said he was the reason why she wanted to play the game.

“He has influenced me throughout my career,” she said.

Mr. Klaber has indeed been instrumental in Ally’s play. In fact, he has been there every step of the way. He’d practice with Ally and her sister, Sofia, in the backyard and take them to the high school stadium for further fieldwork.

He even was present when Ally achieved her highest recognition. Last week while Ally drove her dad home from a long day of work at his law office in downtown Pittsburgh, Doug received a text message from Lebo lacrosse coach Brian Kattan. Noticing his wide grin Ally asked, “Why are you smiling?”

He responded that the All-America team had just been announced and Ally had made the list.

“At first, he didn’t want to tell me because he wanted me to focus on the road,” Ally said with a laugh. “I was shocked but also very happy. I was really excited to get the award because it was one of the biggest goals that I wanted to achieve. It was so specific, though, and high because not many are awarded with it.”

Ally earned the distinction for her play as a midfielder for the Blue Devils. She led Lebo with 61 goals, 20 assists and 75 draw controls. For her career, she tallied 118 goals and registered 55 assists.

“Yes, I like to score goals, but they come because of the position I play,” Ally said. “Scoring really is even with assisting because I love to see the reaction of my teammates and everyone else when I assist them in getting goals.”

Ally gives a big assist to her teammates for her accolades this spring. In addition to All-America acclaim, she earned her second straight all-section honor along with an All-WPIAL distinction.

“I owe all my success to my teammates,” Ally said. “For four years, they have put their trust in me and I have put my trust in them. My coaches also helped me reach my goals.”

Winning, added Ally, was the most important objective and teamwork played a vital role in Lebo’s triumphs this spring.

“We played our best when we worked as a unit, not individually, were patient on offense, made good plays and played good defense,” she said.

Her best lacrosse gained Ally the attention of several collegiate programs. Because she wanted to study at a small liberal arts school, however, she selected Dickinson College to continue her playing career.

“When I first stepped onto the campus, I felt it was the place for me. It was so welcoming. The whole coaching staff and the players were awesome and the school offered a wide variety of choices for someone undecided about their major or career,” said the 18-year-old daughter of Joelle Klaber.

Ally Klaber

Who is she? Recent Mt. Lebanon graduate named All-America in high school lacrosse.

Age: 18

Birthdate: Feb. 7

Parents: Doug and Joelle

Siblings: Sofia.

Sports: Lacrosse, field hockey

Statistics and distinctions: 118 career goals, 55 assists. 61 goals, 20 assists, 75 draw controls in 2018. All-Section (twice), All-WPIAL, All-America. Graduated on the highest honor roll with a 4.0-plus GPA.

College choice: Dickinson College

Color: Light blue

Food: Pesto pasta

Restaurant: Il Pizzaiolo

Athlete: Sidney Crosby

Dream destination: Seychelles Island, off the coast of Africa.

People might be surprised to know this about you: “I hold dual citizenship with the United States and Belgium because my mom is from there. We go there on vacation as often as we can because her family still lives there.”

With whom would you like to have dinner: Ellen DeGeneres. “She’s very funny and she would be entertaining.”

In 15 years, I will: “Hopefully have a career and own a dog, probably a Portuguese Water Dog. It doesn’t matter to me where I live. I just want to be successful in my job and be happy.” 

At no age was Ally ever undecided regarding lacrosse. She started playing in fourth grade because that was when her sister picked up the game.

“Since she was doing it, I thought I should give it a try to. I did and I loved it,” Klaber said. “I loved the speed of the sport. The ball is always moving at the speed of the players. It’s also a challenging sport and it’s fun to play.”

During her scholastic career, it was also fun for Ally to play for the Pittsburgh Premier Lacrosse Club as well as for the varsity field hockey team at Mt. Lebanon. She played for the lacrosse club since fifth grade. She earned three letters for field hockey.

“I think there is a correlation between field hockey and lacrosse,” Ally said. “You have to see the field and the ball is always moving fast. Position-wise there is a restraining line as well. I have very good field vision, dodges and quickness and they are all good aspects to have when playing either sport.”

Because of age constraints, Ally can no longer play for the Premier Club but she can coach and intern there this summer. The club practices at Duquesne and Robert Morris. Weekends are reserved for travel games.

Hence, she will be prepared for the jump to college and beyond.

“Maybe I could get into coaching,” said Klaber. “I’m just not sure. I could see that as a possibility because I am not completely sure about life without lacrosse. I read where they are trying to include lacrosse as an Olympic sport. That would be very cool but I don’t think pro lacrosse is a goal.”

Today, Ally will just rest on her scholastic laurels. All-America is the ultimate achievement.

“It’s definitely the highlight of my high school career,” she said. “That and winning a WPIAL championship my sophomore year when my sister was a senior. It was a great memory.”

Determination key for Gibbons

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When Lexi Gibbons sets her mind to something, there’s no stopping the Mt. Lebanon High School graduate.

“Personally,” she admitted, “I’m a really determined person.”

Not content with just being a good girls’ lacrosse player, Gibbons aspired to be a college prospect as well as one of the best midfielders in the game. By her sophomore year, she accepted an offer from Lafayette. By the time she graduated, she was a national All-American.

“I’d say that’s a pretty good way to end my high school career,” Gibbons said of the recognition. “Being named All-America pretty much ranks up there at the top but No. 1 was committing as a sophomore because I was so young. It took a year to do that. I’ve had a great career and all the work I put into the sport has paid off.”

While she played a variety of sports when she was younger, Gibbons picked up lacrosse in middle school for two basic reasons. One, lacrosse was newer to the area and two, her sister, Megan, was playing.

“Clearly, I look up to her,” she said, “and always being athletic, I thought I would try it. I ended up loving it. I’ve really been determined when it came to playing the game and I have been very dedicated to this sport.”

Noting that there is only so much one can do during practice, Gibbons put in the extra work and time to hone her skills. In addition to joining the Pittsburgh Premier Soccer Club, she trained “a decent amount” every day on her own. She concentrated on shooting and running for endurance in general. She spent at least 20 minutes a day playing “Wall Ball” to hone her stick skills as well as throwing and catching abilities. Because she has a lacrosse goal at home, she also practiced in the backyard. Plus, she and her 16-year-old brother, Joe, would workout together on the turf at the high school stadium.

“I worked really hard,” Gibbons said, “but I love (lacrosse) so much. I want to get better. I want to improve every single day.”

Each season, Gibbons displayed marked improvement such that she earned All-Section and All-WPIAL acclaim two years in a row. As a senior, Gibbons racked up 40 goals and 28 assists. She managed four ground balls a game. She finished with 106 career goals and 65 assists.

“Scoring over 100 goals, I think, has a lot to do with the fact that I’m a fast player and I have quick feet and am able to dodge,” said the 18-year-old midfielder. “Being able to run up and down the field and really trying not to slow down are my strengths. There’s fire when I play the game. I’m ready to step up and I put effort into everything.”

Lexi Gibbons

Who is she: Recent Mt. Lebanon graduate named All-America for high school lacrosse.

Age: 18

Birthday: Nov. 15

Parents: Collette & Ed

Siblings: Megan, who plays lacrosse at Lehigh University;  Joe, 16and Cole, 10.

Sports: Lacrosse, field hockey

Statistics and distinctions: 106 career goals and 65 assists; 40 goals, 28 assists and 4 ground balls per game this spring; 

All-Section (twice), All-WPIAL, All-America in lacrosse. All-Section and All-WPIAL in field hockey. Graduated with a 4.8 GPA. Member of Mt. Lebanon’s Cum Laude Society.

College choice: Lafayette University

Major: Undecided. “But I am thinking about international affairs and economics.”

Color: Blue

Food: Pizza. “I have a lot of favorite foods. I’m not picky but I could eat pizza every day.”

Restaurant: Café IO. “But Pizza Badamo is the best place for pizza.”

Dream destination: Thailand. “It just seems so cool. The culture and the food are amazing.”

People might be surprised to know this about you: “I am missing the top part of my middle finger on my left hand. It has been like that since I was 4 when I smashed it while the car door was shutting on our vacation trip to Stone Harbor, N.J. It doesn’t affect my play in any way because I have been living with it so long.”

With whom would you like to have dinner: Rihanna. “She’s pretty cool.”

In 15 years, what will you be doing: “I have no clue yet because technically I haven’t decided upon a major. But hopefully, by then, I want a family.”

Gibbons put effort into many things while attending Mt. Lebanon High School. She played four seasons of field hockey, earning three varsity letters and all-section and all-district honors twice. Academically, she graduated with the highest of honors and a 4.8 GPA. She was inducted into the school’s prestigious Cum Laude Society. She belonged to the National Honor Society as well.

All that afforded Gibbons attractive offers from a plethora of colleges but she selected Lafayette during the early stages of the recruiting process. Though undecided upon a major, she’s thinking of a career in international affairs and economics once her playing days in lacrosse are through.

“I visited a bunch of schools but when I stepped on the campus (at Lafayette), I felt at home. I fell in love with the place, the coaches and the players. They all seemed to get along. It was absolutely fantastic and everybody was so welcoming.”

Since there are many midfielders in Lafayette’s recruiting class, Gibbons may end up playing defense. The shift does not phase her.

“Lacrosse is not a one-person show and I think that is why our team did so well. We all contributed equally,” she said. “My team, Lebo, we got along real well. We were so close and we had great chemistry. I anticipate that’s the way it will be in college because all successful teams have those characteristics.”

Gibbons admits that she will miss her playing days at Lebo. It was the best experience that she could have asked for, she said.

“All my years, we had a great coaching staff and the girls on the team, I loved them. We got things done. We joked around and had fun but we worked well together. It was not one girl. So many were capable of doing great things,” continued the daughter of Collette and Ed Gibbons. “We all had each other’s back and we all made each other look good. That’s what makes the program at Lebo different from all the others.”

An All-American like Gibbons is also a game changer.

“I’m very excited. Happy,” she said. “It’s a huge honor.”

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