Houk

BUTLER TWP — Butler High girls basketball player Allie Houk is about to make school history — in lacrosse.

The Golden Tornado's left defender said she'll commit to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., to play lacrosse.

When she does, Houk will become the first player in the nine-year history of Butler girls lacrosse to receive a Division I scholarship in the sport. Ex-Tornado Julie Holt received a scholarship from Division II Slippery Rock University.

"Allie has earned this," Butler coach Annie Succop said. "She plays her angles defensively so well and her footwork is excellent.

"Playing basketball has helped her in lacrosse. It's heightened her athleticism and she can read plays as they're developing coming at her."

A senior, Houk said the quickness of basketball is similar to that of lacrosse.

"You do a lot of thinking and reacting on your feet in both sports," she said.

She expects to receive scholarship offers from Gannon and Edinboro as well, but Houk plans to stick with Liberty.

"I picked the top three schools I'd like to go to through my club team," Houk said. "Liberty was at the top of my list and they came to see me play.

"The coaches showed a lot of interest in me and I like the program there. It's a private Christian school. It's everything I want."

Houk has been playing lacrosse since eighth grade. She became interested in the sport after watching older sister Mackenzie play for Butler.

Houk played for Intrepid, a summer club team in Pittsburgh, this year.

"She really committed to solidifying her game," Succop said.

Liberty finished 1-13 in its inaugural women's lacrosse season last spring. The team plays in the Big South Conference.

Liberty's roster last year featured six juniors, 17 sophomores and freshmen, and no seniors. The team had one second-team all-conference player.

"I'm excited about the fact it's a new program," Houk said. "I feel like I can make an impact right away."

Succop agreed.

"Allie is a natural leader," she said. "A program that is so new like that, I know she'll go down there and help out right away."