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SPORTS

Boltja Joins Davidson Lacrosse Staff

by | Jun 11, 2019 | Sports

Lacrosse Coach Kim Wayne talking to her players during a game in the 2019 season.

 

DAVIDSON, N.C.  — Davidson women’s lacrosse head coach Kim Wayne announced today Nikki Boltja has joined the program as the new assistant coach for the upcoming 2019-20 season.

Boltja comes to Davidson after serving as an assistant coach at San Diego State for the past two seasons, helping the Aztecs win back-to-back Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament titles.

Nikki Boltja [screen capture from Davidsonwildcats.com]

“I’m thrilled to welcome Nikki to the family,” said Wayne, who will be entering her 12th year at the helm of the program. “Her experience as a coach, combined with her passion for the game, will go a long way in player development. Nikki was an exceptional student-athlete at Louisville, and she knows what it means to work hard. What excites me the most about Nikki is her love for the game and competitive drive. She wants to help her players get better while also pushing them to be tough and competitive. I truly believe Nikki will be a great asset to our young and energized team.”

While at San Diego State the past two seasons, Boltja teamed with head coach Kylee White and helped the Aztecs to a pair of 11-win seasons to set the program record. She was the offensive coordinator and saw their offense rank 26th in scoring in the nation under her guidance. Boltja also assisted in opponent scouting, player development and recruiting.

“I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the Davidson lacrosse staff,” said Boltja. “I’m looking forward to working alongside Kim and hope to continue to build upon the program’s success.”

A two-time All-American as a collegiate player at Louisville, Boltja arrived at San Diego State after serving as an assistant at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. With Boltja on staff during the 2017 campaign, Stetson improved on every offensive team statistic from the previous season, including goals per game (8.65-11.78), shooting percentage (.434-.444), shots per game (19.9-26.6) and free position percentage (.317-.483). In addition, the Hatters marked an increase of 72 draw controls last year while reducing their turnover count by 27.

Prior to Stetson, Boltja spent the 2016 season as an assistant at Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio, doubling as the girl’s lacrosse head coach at her close by prep alma mater Medina High School.

While at Baldwin Wallace, the Ohio native coached six all-Ohio Athletic Conference honorees, including Maddie Russell and Katie Kocher, who also garnered all-IWLCA Division III Great Lakes Region accolades, as the Yellow Jackets posted an 11-7 record before falling in the OAC tournament semifinals.

Meanwhile at Medina High, Boltja was named Greater Cleveland Conference Coach of the Year after guiding a Bees squad to an undefeated record in league play and elite eight finish in the state tournament despite just having just one returning starter from the previous season.

As a collegiate star at Louisville, Boltja merited IWLCA All-America distinction on two occasions for the Cardinals, earning third-team honors in 2013, before receiving first-team recognition in 2014. A three-time all-region and all-conference selection, Boltja was the unanimous Big East Offensive Player of the Year during her senior campaign in 2014 after leading Louisville to its first NCAA Tournament berth and top 10 national ranking. She finished third nationally in goals (71), goals per game (3.55) and points per game (5.00) that season and ranked fourth in points (100).

Overall, Boltja ranks second on the Cardinals’ career list with 235 points and 93 goals. She also occupies the third spot in school history with 42 assists and nine game-winning goals.

After receiving her bachelor of science degree in health and human performance with a concentration in exercise science in 2014, Boltja served as volunteer assistant at Louisville in 2015. She also has experience as a club coach, including stints with Cardinal Elite Lacrosse, Ohio Premier Lacrosse, Midwestern Force Lacrosse and XTEAM Lacrosse.

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