LEXINGTON, Va. – With the 2024 season in the books, we look back on the accomplishments of the VMI Water Polo Team this year, highlighted by capturing the most program wins since the 2021 campaign.
Starting Fast
The Keydets had a strong non-conference slate to start the year, going 2-2 in its first four contests including wins over Mercyhurst (a program moving up to Division I) and a 10-9 comeback victory in overtime against McKendree at the VMI Aquatic Center.
Stat Stuffers
The Keydets would then score a win over Carthage on its Minnesota trip and would make statistical jumps in multiple categories including:
- 174 Drawn Exclusions (+8 from last season)
- 249 Goals (+29)
- 205 Assists (+44)
- 201 Steals (+3)
- 47 Field Blocks (+13)
- 242 Goalie Blocks (+122)
Senior Sendoff
VMI will miss the play of Caragh Osborne, who was the program's lone senior this year, who earned Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. Osborne finished her career in stellar fashion, setting the new program mark for career assists, with 117 in her four seasons of play. Osborne, who scored 21 goals and collected 41 steals, dished out 52 assists to break the previous career record by two (Genevieve Petrassi' 22).
Looking Ahead
Coach Danielle Montenegro, who will be entering her fifth year at the helm, returns eight players from the 2024 squad, including its top scorers in Courtney Novotny (career-best 74 goals), Sydney Smith (career-best 60 goals), Sadie Smith (career-best 53 goals) and Sarah Fitzsimmons who netted 24 in her rookie season. Novotny, Sadie Smith and Julia Ward led the team in the classroom, all being named to the MAAC All-Academic Team (3.2 GPA). Defensively, rookie Ysabel Casillas had a strong season in net, collecting 172 blocks including 15 against 18th-ranked Wagner to end the season. Additionally, Montenegro will have her largest incoming recruiting class joining the program next year, giving VMI its largest roster in her tenure.
