By his own admission, Fairview’s Kai Modica is more of a shy kid. His game on the lacrosse field during his junior season was anything but as he learned to break out of his shell.

Throughout this spring, the attacker not only led the Knights with 49 goals and 28 assists, but he took on a vocal leadership role that had evaded him in years past. The Knights only benefited from his growth, as evidenced by their second-round appearance in the Class 5A state tournament and 11-5 record.

“This year, I became an upperclassman, so that made a big difference,” Modica said. “I kind of used my voice more, and that’s not exactly the kind of person who I am, but I had to step out of my comfort zone. I’m more of an introvert, but I feel like once I step on the field, I’ve been doing a way better job of using my voice, being loud. On the field, I feel like I’m a different person than when I’m off the field.”

From his freshman year on, the BoCoPreps.com player of the year guided his team by setting a prime example of the type of hard work one needs to succeed in 5A lacrosse, whether that’s been by hitting the gym in the early mornings before school or bringing in other players to work on their skills outside of practices.

He credited that “grit” to his father, who showed him what it meant to be a good role model in the classroom and on the field. He supplemented his physical training with the mental side of the game, often watching his own film to pinpoint areas of improvement.

That has made all the difference in his continual progression over the past three years, as his goals and assists have ticked up with each passing season. His coach, Matthew Kelley, lauded his impact.

“He is probably one of the hardest-working players I’ve ever coached,” Kelley said. “I don’t know that Kai understands, yet, his influence. I don’t think he’s doing it to influence other players. It’s just kind of like, ‘Hey, let’s go meet and do this thing.’ But in general, I think he’s created just more excitement about the sport with his friends.

“He always draws the best defensemen on the opposing team, and they’re always trying things to rattle him. It could be that they’re taking the butt-end of their stick — and when the ball is down at the other end — they’re kind of jabbing him with it. They’re throwing way too many slashes on him or they’re really just trying to beat him up as best as possible. He’s just unflappable. He doesn’t react to any of that.”

Now that he has the vocal aspect under his belt, Modica looks forward to seeing what his final season will bring. He believes he’ll have a talented senior cast by his side to push the team toward success.

“I’m going to feel even more comfortable with that and as a senior,” Modica said. “I’m definitely going to be a captain. I’m definitely going to have to use my voice and take the team far. Going into this junior year, it felt like a lot of pressure was on me to do that, but going to this next year, I know that I’ve grown in that area. Now, it feels more of a privilege to have that pressure, and so it feels really good.”