LEXINGTON, Va. - The VMI Water Polo team is set to open up its 2024 campaign on Friday, facing Gannon in the first of four games this weekend as part of the VMI Invite at the VMI Aquatic Center.

Friday's game, which is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., is the first of 13 games at the Aquatic Center this weekend featuring the aforementioned Gannon, Mount St. Mary's, McKendree, Mercyhurst and Villanova.

The Keydets will open the action Saturday morning as well, facing Mercyhurst at 9:30 before a tilt with Toronto at 12:30 p.m. VMI will close out its weekend action Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. against McKendree.

"This is the first full year we have been able to train in the new aquatic facility, and it has made a huge impact in our day-to-day training, as well as allowing us to host multiple games and tournaments this year," said fourth-year head coach Danielle Montenegro. "It's exciting to be able to showcase our facility and to be able to get some good competition to come to Lexington."

What's Back
While Gia Donatelli, Katie Lloyd and Sydney Shettleroe all graduated, VMI returns its top three scorers in Courtney Novotny, Sadie Smith and Sydney Smith. Entering her junior season, Novotny paced the Keydets last season with 47 goals scored with Sadie Smith scoring 44 and Sydney Smith 39 to go with 45 drawn exclusions.

Caragh Osborne (32 assists) and Julia Ward – both members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) 2022-23 Academic Honor Roll  squad – also figure to be key returners from last year.

What's New
Despite losing three to graduation, the 2024 rosters features four freshmen – two hailing from California and two from Georgia. Ysabel Casillas and Maddie Day, both from California, will give VMI the most depth at the goalkeeper position that it has had in years. Sarah Fitzsimmons, a utility player from Dacula, Georgia, will shore up the middle while Meagan Riding (Peachtree City, Georgia) should bolster the offense.

"This is the first time our freshmen will get to play as a Keydet," said Montenegro. "It's great that we get to do that at home and see the big impact I expect they all will have."

How to Follow
The games will be streamed live on ESPN+, with live stats available as well. Follow @vmiwaterpolo and check here for the most updated game information.

Friday, Feb. 2     Dark      White   
7:30 PM               VMI vs. Gannon - ESPN+ - Live Stats
                             
Saturday, Feb. 3             
9:30 AM               VMI vs. Mercyhurst - ESPN+ - Live Stats
11:00 AM            Mount St. Mary's vs. McKendree
12:30 PM             VMI vs. Toronto - Live Stats
2:00 PM               Mount St. Mary's vs. Gannon
3:30 PM               Villanova vs. Mercyhurst
5:00 PM               McKendree vs. Toronto
6:30 PM               Villanova vs. Gannon      
               
Sunday, Feb 4   
8:00 AM               Villanova vs. Toronto
9:30 AM               VMI vs. McKendree - ESPN+ - Live Stats
11:00 AM            Mount St. Mary's vs. Toronto
12:30 PM             Villanova vs. McKendree
2:00 PM               Mount St. Mary's vs. Mercyhurst