LEXINGTON, Va. - The VMI Water Polo program concluded its 11th season in program history this spring, and the third with head coach Danielle Montenegro at the helm. In addition to season highlights, the team opened the brand new, state-of-the-art VMI Aquatic Center in April.
With a diverse schedule, the Keydets opened their season with their last match in Clark King Pool before hitting the road with visits to Minnesota and California before traveling to New York and Pennsylvania for Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play.
Perhaps the highlight of the season for the program, was April 1-2 when VMI hosted the first ever NCAA game(s) in its brand-new Aquatic Center. The Keydets welcomed the entire 10-team MAAC field for the weekend, capping it off with senior day against Mount St. Mary's. The Aquatic Center's playing field is Olympic regulation size and is the top pool in the conference.
Offensively, Courtney Novotny led the way with 47 goals in sophomore campaign, while rookie Sadie Smith netted 44. Fellow freshman Sydney Smith – no relation to Sadie – found the back of the net 39 times and totaled 45 drawn exclusions in the process.
Caragh Osborne proved to be the main facilitator of the offense, handing out a team-high 32 assists. Sydney Shettleroe had a strong senior campaign, leading the team with 45 steals and 58 drawn exclusions, adding 42 goals in the process. Shettleroe leaves VMI toting two records – most goals in a game (9) and most exclusions in a game (8), with 145 goals, 178 drawn exclusions, 96 steals and 81 assists for her career.
In net, Katie Lloyd capped off her strong career, collecting 115 saves, 24 steals and had two assists. In her time at VMI, the Caroline, Virginia native totaled 353 saves, 46 steals and two assists. Fellow senior Gia Donatelli had 25 goals and 27 assists in 2023, to give her 70 scores as a Keydet.
With a strong incoming recruiting class and top-notch facility, the future of VMI Water Polo is bright.
