This past August, three Villanova women's lacrosse players represented their heritage in the U20 World Championships as juniors and twin sisters Isabella Henson-Vendrell and Gabriella Henson-Vendrell were named captains for Team Puerto Rico while junior attacker Elena Torres served as captain for Team Mexico.
 
The Henson-Vendrell sisters took the opportunity to play for their country in which both of their parents were born, having played for the team in the last couple of years and "just making" the U20 age requirement.
 
The sister duo were named captains due to their hard work over the years both on and off the field, causing the two to feel a "huge sense of pride knowing our team and coaches believed in us as leaders and athletes."
 
Gabi and Isa each said they'll cherish leading a young Puerto Rico squad to a fifth-place finish, showing they are a force to be reckoned with and capable of competing with Canada and the United States in the coming years.
 
Torres was able to watch the sisters play and noted how much fun it looked to be playing for the team, saying "you could just see the culture seeping through their pores."
 
And most of all, the Henson-Vendrells loved experiencing this together and mentioned how cool it was to see the progression of growing up playing together to now being such different players.
 
Isa had another opportunity to represent Team Puerto Rico, playing in the USA Lacrosse Experience sixes format held in Indianapolis in the middle of October. She was able to net one, scoring a goal in her game against the United States and some of the top women's players in the world.
 
But Team Puerto Rico wasn't the only side with Wildcats featured prominently, as another Hispanic nation had a Villanovan on its starting attack line.
 
After enjoying their international playing experience in previous years, the sisters encouraged their teammate and roommate Torres to honor her Hispanic heritage and try out for Team Mexico.
 
Torres submitted her tryout via video and made the squad, so it was her first year representing Team Mexico and honoring her father's home nation.
 
When she was selected as captain, Torres said her family was so thrilled and proud to see her wearing Mexico across her chest.
 
Torres was a force on the field, finishing the tournament ranked fifth overall in points and ending with a total of 26 points and six assists for 32 total points. In Mexico's game against Scotland, Torres was named Player of the Match, netting eight points and an assist to earn the award.
 
Playing for her heritage, being named caption and winning a top player award helped Elena make a realization: "This reminded me that I am good at lacrosse."
 
Torres said she'll cherish not only being a leader but also being a role model for others as seeing little girls in the crowd looking up to her was something she will not forget.
 
With the LA Olympics coming up and including lacrosse for the first time since 1948, these three Wildcats are looking ahead to the next step: making the senior teams and competing as Olympians.
 
Asking their advice for anyone considering an attempt at trying out for a national team, it was a resounding yes from all three.
 
"Find those passports, find that birth certificate" Gabi said.