ROCK HILL, S.C. – The women's lacrosse program is coming into their fourth season ranked No. 2 in the South Atlantic Conference, the highest preseason ranking in program history. The Trojans lead the conference with most returners on the Preseason All-Conference team in junior Ava Skeffington (Charlotte, N.C.), sophomore Megan Muir (Bedford, N.H.), junior Emma Toole (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.), sophomore Ellie Wilkins (Culuota, Fla.) and senior Meredith Dawson (Beavercreek, Ohio).
"We are excited about the growth our program has experienced over the last three years and cannot wait to see what year four brings," head coach Nicole Voci said.
The Trojans come in second in the preseason poll with 106 points and two first place votes. Wingate leads with 119 points and nine first place votes as they come into the season ranked No. 16 in the IWLCA national poll.
Skeffington was named the 2025 SAC Attacker of the Year last season after scoring the second-most goals in the SAC with 61 and 68 points. She earned All-SAC First Team honors and was named to the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Atlantic All-Region Second Team.
Muir also earned individual honors last season, being named the 2025 SAC Freshman of the Year. She led the conference in ground balls with 72 and caused turnovers with 46. She was also named to the All-SAC Second Team. She earned a spot on the IWLCA Atlantic All-Region Second Team alongside Skeffington.
Toole had a well-rounded defensive season for the Trojans last season, with 44 draw controls, 23 ground balls and 16 caused turnovers. She added 21 goals and was 11-15 from free position.
Wilkins was a big part of the Trojan offense last season with 54 points and 47 goals in her freshman campaign.
Dawson ranked seventh in the SAC for caused turnovers with 29 and she picked up 33 ground balls last season.
The Trojans open the 2026 season tomorrow, Jan. 30 at 3 p.m. when they host The University of Alabama in Huntsville.
2026 SAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference
A – Kirra Olson, Lenoir-Rhyne
A – Ava Skeffington, Anderson
A – Josie Tinnerello, Lincoln Memorial
A – Logen Davis, UVA Wise
MF – Megan Muir, Anderson
MF – Emma Toole, Anderson
MF – Mya Halladay, Tusculum
MF – Ellie Wilkins, Anderson
D – Kathryn McCabe, Wingate
D – Krysta Churns, Wingate
D – Meredith Dawson, Anderson
D – Taryn Moreno, UVA Wise
GK – Sally Friesen, Lenoir-Rhyne
Players to Watch
Catawba: Audrey Adelsberger, Allison Filosa, Kylie Harris, Abby Shuren, Madison Widecki
Coker: Kate Halcro, Mia MacMillan, Olivia Schmidt, Veronica Richardson, Sydnee Schrauben
Emory & Henry: Justyce Jones, Mary Martinez, Alex Costello, Megan D'Amore, Madison Weaver
Lincoln Memorial: Sage Leax, Brookelyn Walls, Ryan Smith, Jaiden Jaynes
Mars Hill: Makenna Olson, Kendall Middleton, Madison Welch, Abby Cleveland, Ashley Holland
Newberry: Ella Todd, Julia Zayachowsky, Lana Howell, Shannon Creagh
Tusculum: Jessie Carolin-Vandenberg, Sophia Didzbalis, Liberty Jones, Elisha Stack
UVA Wise: Issie Brown, Noley Hiller, Kaylea Paterson
Wingate: Bree Solero, Deirdre Jones, Sophie Pavlick
