LEXINGTON, Va. – The VMI Women's Water Polo Program is set to host four teams and have three games this weekend at the VMI Aquatic Center for its annual VMI Invite.
The weekend kicks off with Mount St. Mary's and St. Francis Friday evening and wraps up with VMI and Salem on Sunday morning.
The Schedule
Friday, Feb. 6
6 PM – Mount St. Mary's vs. St. Francis
7: 30 PM – Bucknell vs. Salem
Saturday, Feb. 7
9:00 AM – VMI vs. Saint Francis –
Stats
11:00 AM – Mount St. Mary's vs. Bucknell
1:00 PM – Saint Francis vs. Salem
3:00 PM – VMI vs. Bucknell - Stats
5:00 PM – Mount St. Mary's vs. Salem
Sunday, Feb. 8
9:00 AM – VMI vs. Salem (Senior Day) – ESPN+ - Stats
Senior Day
VMI is having its senior day early this year, honoring
Sadie Smith,
Sydney Smith and
Julia Ward on Sunday.
Sadie has had a strong career, currently ranking ninth all-time in goals scored with 165 to her credit, netting 10 this season. Sadie is more than a goal scorer, dishing out 117 assists while collecting 78 steals and 77 drawn exclusions in her three-plus years. A nominee for the prestigious
three-legged stool award, Sadie's 117 assists is tied for first all-time in VMI history. Sadie is the current Hotel Company Commanding Officer, is a six-time Dean's List recipient, a two-time Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) All-Academic recipient and a member of the Institute Honors Program. Sadie will graduate with a degree in international studies with national security and computer science minors and will intern with the Defense Intelligence Agency in D.C.
Sydney is no stranger to goal-scoring either, as she ranks seventh all-time with 171. Playing center, Sydney's 167 drawn exclusions are second-most in program history, with her 58 in 2024 and 51 in 2025 ranking second and fifth all-time in a single season. A two-time Dean's List recipient and two-time MAAC All-Academic honoree, Sydney will graduate with a major in biology and minor in exercise science and will commission in the U.S. Air Force to be a Combat Systems Officer.
Ward has been an all-around performer for VMI, often elected as the sprinter – and often the winner – Ward has 18 goals, 47 assists, 31 steals and 12 field blocks entering the weekend. The current Band Company Commanding Officer, Ward is a Peay Scholar recipient, a six-time Dean's List recipient and a two-time MAAC All-Academic member. Upon graduation, Ward will commission into the U.S. Navy where she will be working on nuclear submarines.
Scouting Saint Francis
Saint Francis has yet to compete this season, but went 14-18 in 2025. All-time, VMI is 4-3 in the series, but has lost the last three meetings. VMI's last win came in 2019 in Pennsylvania.
Scouting Bucknell
The Bison are 2-1 on the young season, all against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference competition. Bucknell defeated LIU and Iona but fell to No. 24 Wagner in Princeton last weekend. The Keydets have yet to score a win in the series (0-5), but have not played since 2022.
Scouting Salem
The Tigers and Keydets are familiar foes, having faced each other 15 times historically. While VMI leads the series 9-6, Salem has won six in a row. The Tigers are 0-1 thus far, falling to Villanova on January 23.
