LEXINGTON, Va. – The 2025 VMI Water Polo Season was a successful one, with the program earning the most wins in five years under the guidance of fifth-year head coach Danielle Montenegro.
Individually, a number of players stood out but none more than Courtney Novotny, who earned the Three-Legged Stool and the Cincinnati Medal while finishing her career second in goals scored. Additionally, Sarah Fitzsimmons was the team's all-around stats leader. Take a look at some of the season highlights below!
2025 Highlights
- Nine wins were the most since 2020 and most in Head Coach Danielle Montenegro's tenure
- Goals scored (323) were fourth-most in program history; 12.7 goals per game ranks fourth all-time
- Senior Courtney Novotny earned the Three-Legged Stool Award, the SoCon Postgraduate Scholarship Award and the Cincinnati Medal
- Novotny ended her career second all-time in goals scored with 210 and her 130 steals rank third in program history
- Maddie Day, Sarah Fitzsimmons, Courtney Novotny, Meagan Riding, Sadie Smith and Julia Ward all named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Academic Team (3.20 or higher)
- Fitzsimmons is VMI's all-around stats leader with 166 points (52 goals, 34 assists, 31 steals, 41 drawn exclusions and 8 field blocks)
- Sydney Smith led team in goals (64) and drawn exclusions (51), Sadie Smith led team with 41 assists
- Day paced Keydets in blocks (132) while Novotny led squad in steals (38) and field blocks (21)
