Longwood University Athletics

Kiana Francis joined the Lancers as assistant coach for the Longwood women's lacrosse team in the summer of 2024.

Francis brings multiple levels of playing experience to the Lancers after a college career that included time at both Mercyhurst and Dominican (Calif.).
 
"I am very excited to have Kiana joining me this year at Longwood," said Longwood head coach Dwyane Hicks. "With her collegiate experience and knowledge of the game, she will be a great fit for our growing program. I was hoping to have someone who could relate to the players and help them manage the demanding lifestyle of being a Division I athlete. Kiana is proving to be a great choice."
 
In 2024, Francis played at Dominican, where she served as a team captain. She helped the program through its transition to NCAA Division II in the process despite battling an injury.
 
Francis transferred to Dominican following four standout years at Mercyhurst. While at Mercyhurst, she was a first-team all-conference selection, and she was a team captain as a senior.
 
"I am very excited to be here at Longwood," Francis said. "Being able to coach a sport that I have loved for so long alongside someone as dedicated and as experienced as Coach Hicks is an absolute dream. I am excited to see everything Longwood and Farmville have to offer. I could tell from the first day I came here that this place was special, and I cannot wait for the road ahead."
 
A two-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete, she helped lead her team to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2022. She also earned a spot on the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Honor Roll.
 
Francis holds her bachelor of arts in biology from Mercyhurst, and she obtained her master's in business administration from Dominican.
 
She joins Hicks and a Lancer team that qualified for the Big South Tournament for the first time in five seasons. The Lancers also tied the program record for Big South wins in 2024.