VMI Water Polo’s Sydney Smith Named MAAC Player of the Week

LEXINGTON, Va. – Sydney Smith of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Water Polo team has been named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Player of the Week, the conference announced on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The recognition comes after a strong performance at the Macalester Invite, where Smith helped lead the Keydets to a 3-1 record.

Smith’s Performance at the Macalester Invite

Smith showcased her scoring ability and all-around play throughout the invite. In the opening contest against Augustana, she led the team with five goals, adding two steals, a drawn exclusion, and a field block. Against Carthage, Smith contributed three goals, two steals, and two drawn exclusions in VMI’s 15-9 victory.

Her performance peaked on Sunday, starting with a season-high six goals, three assists, three steals, and two drawn exclusions in a win over Grove City. Smith then continued her strong play, scoring three crucial fourth-quarter goals to secure a 13-12 win against host Macalester, finishing the game with five goals and two drawn exclusions.

Career Achievements

With her recent performances, Smith continues to climb the VMI record books. She currently ranks third all-time in program history with 199 career goals scored and second with 189 drawn exclusions.

More information about the MAAC release can be found here.