LEXINGTON, Va. – Looking to continue its hot start to the season (6-2), the VMI Water Polo travels to Pennsylvania Saturday for matchups against Gannon and Washington & Jefferson, before heading to West Virginia Sunday for games against Salem and Saint Francis.
Season Stats
Sydney Smith has powered the offense so far this year, netting 23 goals while Sarah Fitzsimmons has found the back of the net 21 times. In total, 11 Keydets have scored this season, with six totaling 12 or more goals. Maddie Day has seen the majority of the time in net so far, totaling 46 blocks while Ysabel Casillas and Taylor Hammond have 19 and 18 respectively.
Players of the Week
VMI was last in action February 14-16, going 3-1 in the Macalester Invite. Due to their impressive performances, Courtney Novotny was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Offensive Player of the Week while rookie Makynna Smith earned Freshman of the Week honors.
A Look at the Opponents
Saturday, March 1 vs. Gannon – 2:30 PM - Watch
VMI and Gannon have met 16 times since 2013, with the Keydets maintaining an 11-5 advantage in the series. When the teams met a few weeks ago, VMI's 15-8 victory snapped a three-game skid against the Golden Knights. Sydney Smith netted four goals in the win, with Hollie Sauceda and Sadie Smith scoring three.
Saturday, March 1 vs. Washington & Jefferson – 6:00 PM - Watch
VMI has controlled the series, winning all three matchups by an average margin of 10.6 goals. The Presidents have played just four games so far this year, posting a record of 3-1, scoring victories over Gannon, Mercyhurst and Penn State Behrend.
Sunday, March 2 vs. Salem – 11:00 AM - Watch
While VMI has the all-time edge against the Tigers, Salem enters Sunday having won five straight. Salem, however, sits at just 3-9 going into the weekend and has lost its last five contests. The teams last met at the VMI Aquatic Center in 2024, where the Tigers edged the Keydets 16-11. Courtney Novotny led VMI in scoring, netting five goals in the loss.
Sunday, March 2 vs. Saint Francis – 1:00 PM - Watch
While the teams haven't met in a few years, VMI holds the edge 4-2 in the series. Saint Francis has claimed the last two victories (2022, 2021), with the Keydets' last being victorious in 2019. Every matchup in this series has taken place at a neutral location. Saint Francis sits at 8-6 overall this season, having dropped its last three.
