Sarah Agrillo knows all about the ups and downs of being an athlete. She’s been sensational with the Blue Devil lacrosse team and was also forced to the sidelines for most of last spring after sustaining a knee injury requiring surgery to repair. The Huntington High School senior recently experienced one of the highs of sports, signing an NCAA Division I letter of intent to play for Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.
“I chose Duquesne because it gave me absolutely everything I wanted,” Ms. Agrillo said. “I wanted to be in the city and it was the perfect spot.” She plans to study criminal justice.
Huntington senior Sarah Agrillo.
The Huntington teenager considered many colleges, before selecting Duquesne. “I really love George Mason and UMass Lowell,” said Ms. Agrillo about two other schools that she carefully weighed attending. But in the end, Duquesne won her over.
Before she finalized her plans, Ms. Agrillo talked everything over many times with her parents, Lyndia and Ted and her sisters, Megan and Grace. She expects to play left attack on the Duquesne lacrosse team,
Duquense enrolls about 9,250 students, including 6,000 undergraduates. It fields six men’s and 10 women’s varsity sports. The average class size is 28. The university offers 80 undergraduate degree programs and 85 master’s, doctoral and professional programs. It also boasts more than 20 online programs.
“One of the things our students continually rave about is our beautiful campus and its proximity to downtown Pittsburgh,” states the college’s website. “At Duquesne University, you get the best of both worlds. While strolling Academic Walk to get to class, you’ll enjoy our beautiful, safe, self-contained campus with lots of green spaces and a distinctive view of the city skyline. When you’re ready to take advantage of everything Pittsburgh has to offer, just take a short walk or bus ride. The PPG Paints Arena, home to the Pittsburgh Penguins and big-name music concerts is just one block from campus. Walk a few more blocks into town and you’ll be in Pittsburgh’s cultural district, where plays, concerts, comedy shows and the ballet await. Prefer to shop or dine out? There are plenty of stores and restaurants downtown and in nearby neighborhoods, like the SouthSide Works or Station Square.”
Ms. Agrillo sat out this past fall’s field hockey season as she continues to recover from last spring’s knee injury. She sang the national anthem prior to the team’s Senior Day game at Blue Devil Field. The stunning performance earned the senior rave reviews.
Popular with her teammates and valued by Huntington’s lacrosse coaches, Ms. Agrillo is expected to play an integral role for the Blue Devils next spring.
“I’ve had the chance to play with Sarah on both an outside lacrosse team and for Huntington and I’ve gotten so close with her,” fellow senior Emma Greenhill said. “She’s an amazing lacrosse player and an even better friend. I’m so excited for her to come back this year. She’s going to make a huge difference on the field!”
As her time as a Blue Devil grows shorter, Ms. Agrillo has spent some time reflecting on her past, present and future. “I love Huntington High School,” she said. “Since freshman year, I have grown as a student and player because of the years I’ve spent at this school.”
Ms. Agrillo will graduate next June with a long list of classmates, teachers and coaches who are admirers. “Sarah’s a great person that puts her full heart into everything, especially sports,” senior lacrosse teammate Amber Stieve said. “She’s so nice. I’m glad to call her one of my best friends.”
