Carthage’s Kidder, Serota sign to play college lacrosse

CARTHAGE — Alyssa Kidder had watched the other Carthage girls lacrosse greats sit at the head table, scrolling their signatures across National Letters of Intent, inside the junior cafeteria.

Kidder remained overshadowed by the big names of Kat DeRonda, Katie Ferris, Kailah Kempney and Amy Tiernan during her developing lacrosse career.

She switched from defense to attack all while maintaining a consistent work ethic in hopes she would someday play Division I lacrosse.

On Wednesday, wearing a navy hooded sweatshirt with Liberty stitched in red block lettering across the chest, Kidder became the next Carthage Comet to commit to Division I lacrosse. She signed her LOI to Liberty University, a large Christian college located in Lynchburg, Va. Teammate Meghan Serota also signed her LOI with Division II Le Moyne.

“I played with Kat (DeRonda) and Katie (Ferris) and they’ve been my role models all the way up through,” Kidder said. “Now, I’m basically one of them going Division I. I didn’t think it was possible.”

Her statistics are not overwhelming. She delivered 27 goals and seven assists last season after switching to attack. She also has 45 ground balls in her three-year career. Serota, meanwhile, has 56 career points and 42 goals.

“(Kidder and Serota) have played with really excellent players,” Carthage coach Sue Gallagher said. “They started out really rusty; they were the young kid on the field. Each year they got a little more confident, a little better. Both really shined a lot last year.”

Both established themselves through dedication to the sport, playing lacrosse year-round and attending college camps.

Kidder credited playing with the Patriots lacrosse club as ultimately gaining attention from colleges and separating herself from the bigger names from Carthage.

“I have so much support from (Patriots),” she said. “I started in 10th grade with indoor lacrosse, and done tournaments with them. Thanks to them so much.”

The Division I offers didn’t come at first, though. Interest came primarily from Division II or her choice of Division III schools. Then, Liberty found her.

“I wasn’t sure I could go Division I,” Kidder said. “Liberty contacted me, but I wasn’t really sure at first. I hadn’t really heard of them. But as soon as I got there the girls and coaches were great. As soon as I left, I knew that’s where I wanted to go.”

Now, Serota and Kidder will be the offensive focal points during their senior seasons with Carthage. Each saw extended playing time and their roles elevated during Carthage’s run to the Section 3 championship game.

This year, like it was in the past for Kempney, Tiernan, DeRonda and Ferris, it’s Serota and Kidder’s turn to lead and mentor.

“They were my role models,” Kidder said. “Now that I’m here, it’s a dream come true.”