FOREST, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg women's lacrosse team was picked to finish fifth in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference preseason poll, as announced by the league office Tuesday afternoon.

Lynchburg enters the 2026 season after posting 13 wins in 2025 and earning a berth in the ODAC quarterfinals. The Hornets return four of their five All-ODAC selections from a season ago, including VaSID All-State honorees Sydney Dumas and Neely Morris.

McKenzie Rafferty and the Hornets also welcome four transfers to this year's roster in Emmy Clay, Julianna Redding, Madison Stewart, and Hayli Williams. Additionally, Lynchburg adds five freshmen, bringing in a total of nine new student-athletes ahead of the 2026 campaign.

Washington and Lee, the reigning ODAC champion, topped the preseason poll with 99 points, just one point shy of the maximum total. The Generals received nine of a possible 10 first-place votes. Shenandoah, last season's ODAC runner-up, placed second with 92 points and two first-place votes. Roanoke (81 points), Randolph-Macon (74), and Lynchburg (64) rounded out the top half of the poll.

The Hornets open the 2026 season Saturday, Feb. 7, against Methodist on Shellenberger Field.
 

WOMEN'S LACROSSE PRESEASON POLL

1. Washington and Lee University (9)    99 pts.

2. Shenandoah University (2)    92 pts.

3. Roanoke College    81 pts.

4. Randolph-Macon College    74 pts.

5. University of Lynchburg    64 pts.

6. Bridgewater College    55 pts.

7. Virginia Wesleyan University    46 pts.

8. Eastern Mennonite University    34 pts.

9. Guilford College    30 pts.

10. Randolph College    19 pts.

     11. Sweet Briar College    11 pts.
 

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--LYN--