LEXINGTON, Va. – Coming off a notable 2025 campaign, the VMI Water Polo Team is set to open up its 2026 season on Thursday, as the team travels to California for four games in three days.
Game Schedule – Live Video / Live Video
Thursday vs. Whittier – 5 PM PST / 8 PM EST
Friday at Redlands – 5 PM PST / 8 PM EST –
Live Stats
Saturday at Azusa Pacific – 9 AM PST / Noon EST
Saturday at La Verne – 3 PM PST / 6 PM EST –
Live Stats
A Look at 2025
The 2025 season was a strong one for
Danielle Montenegro, who is entering her sixth season at the helm of the program. Last year, VMI's nine wins were the most since 2020 and the team scored 323 goals which was fourth-most in program history.
Sarah Fitzsimmons led VMI with 166 points while
Sydney Smith posted a team-best 64 goals and
Sadie Smith led the team with 41 assists. In net,
Maddie Day collected 132 saves while
Courtney Novotny, the team's lone senior, led the team in steals (38) and blocks (21). Novotny would end her VMI career strong, earning the Three-Legged Stool Award and Cincinnati Medal in the process.
Key Additions
VMI will have the most depth it has had in years, as the Keydets return 12 players and welcome in three freshmen. Additionally, Coach Montenegro added an assistant coach, Claire Poissonnier, to her staff.
Claire Poissonnier – Assistant Coach
The addition of Poissonnier is a huge one, as Montenegro will have her first assistant during her tenure. Poissonnier comes to VMI after a decorated career at Brown University where she totaled 121 goals, 44 assists, 94 steals and 191 exclusions drawn. After scoring 26 goals in both her freshman and sophomore seasons, Poissonnier totaled 42 scores in 2024 before closing out her career with Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) Honorable Mention All-American Status in her senior season, earning Northeast Water Polo Conference All-Tournament and Academic All-Ivy status.
Gabriella Falcon – Pearland, Texas – Utility
Falcon comes to VMI from Pearland, Texas, where she was on both the water polo and swim teams for four years at Pearland High School. In 2023, Falcon picked up team rookie of the year honors, and was the team MVP in her 2025 senior season. Falcon also competed for the Southside Water Polo Club, plans to major in physics and minor in astronomy.
Maria Fitzsimmons – Dacula, Georgia – Utility
Joining her older sister on post, Fitzsimmons will be a utility player for the Keydets. Fitzsimmons competed for the North Atlanta Water Polo Club, the North Carolina Select Water Polo Club and Collins High School. A four-year member of the swim team, Fitsimmons helped her team water polo team to consecutive state championships and was named to the USA All-American Academic squad. Fitsimmons plans to major in civil engineering and minor in computer science and cybersecurity.
Noa Ziv – Lake Oswego, Oregon – Attack
Ziv is the lone attack newcomer this season, coming from across the country from Lake Oswego, Oregon. At Lake Oswego High School, Ziv was a three-year team captain, earning Second Team All-State three times and was the top goal scorer in the state during her 2023 season. Ziv plans to study economics and business.
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