LEXINGTON, Va. – With another semester in the books, we take a look back at what was for the 2026 VMI Water Polo season.

Individually, the players continued to exemplify what it means to be a cadet-athlete at VMI, as Sadie Smith was one of three finalists for the prestigious Three-Legged Stool Award, and was the recipient of the Fank Summers Team Leadership Award, given to the most outstanding team leader.

Fellow Smith (no relation) Sydney shined as well, earning the Almond Award, which is given annually to a graduating cadet who has demonstrated outstanding contributions in collegiate athletics while distinguishing themselves through academic achievement and soldierly bearing aptitude.

In the water, much was accomplished but most notably, VMI won its first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) game since 2022, with a thrilling sudden-death overtime victory.

Now, let's dive into the stats. 

2026 Highlights
- Keydets win seven games, making it the first consecutive seasons of seven-plus wins since 2019-20
- VMI defeats Siena, giving the Keydets their first conference win in four years
- Sadie Smith is Three-Legged Stool finalist, earns Frank Summers Team Leadership Award, has team-high 39 assists to go with 50 goals, 28 steals and 24 drawn exclusions
- Sadie's 205 career goals rank fourth all-time and 151 assists are a program record
- Sydney Smith earns Almond Award, leads team with 57 goals and 87 drawn exclusions (overall points leader with 170)
- Sydney Smith's 220 career goals are second all-time in program history; 241 career drawn exclusions ranks second, with 87 this season being second-most in a single year and 9 (vs. Siena) setting a program single-game record
- Maddie Day, Sarah Fitzsimmons, Meagan Riding, Sadie Smith and Makynna Smith all named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Academic Team (3.20 or higher)
- Ysabel Casillas leads team with 100 blocks; Day and Taylor Hammond collect 42 and 35, respectively
- Makynna Smith nets 49 goals and has 42 drawn exclusions, tying Sydney Smith for most goals in MAAC play with 20
- Keydets open season by winning three out of four games, taking three out of four in Minnesota as well

Follow @VMIAthletics for the latest news and updates.