Tigers picked to repeat as SAA Women’s Lacrosse Champions

SEWANEE, Tenn. – Sewanee's women's lacrosse team was selected as the top pick in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) preseason poll, as released by the league's office on Thursday morning.

The Tigers earned 30 first-place votes for 30 points, followed by Berry and Rhodes tied for second with 26 points, while the Lynx received one first-place vote. Centre (17), Oglethorpe (16), and Southwestern (10) rounded out the preseason poll, voted on by the SAA's six head coaches.

Receiving votes in the preseason IWLCA poll, the Tigers look to capture a second SAA Championship, coming off an undefeated regular season and the 2025 SAA regular season and tournament champions. Sewanee returns Marlin Price, a second-team All-Region honoree and SAA Offensive Athlete of the Year. Price also garnered USA Lacrosse preseason All-American Honorable Mention honors as announced on Tuesday by the organization. The Tigers return five additional All-Conference players for the 2026 squad. Joining Price as returning first-team players are Ella Townsend and Kennedy Harcourt. Both second-team honorees, Sally Herrington and Sally Whitehead, return, as well as Alex Kelly, who earned honorable mention honors.

After advancing to their tenth consecutive title game in 2025, Rhodes returns four All-Conference players to their roster for the 2026 slate, while the Vikings return All-Region athlete, Dani Raraska, along with four other SAA All-Conference players.

The 2026 SAA Women's Lacrosse Championships are slated for April 30-May 2 in Memphis, Tenn., hosted by Rhodes College.

2026 Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll
1. Sewanee – 30 (5)
T2. Berry – 26
T2. Rhodes – 26 (1)
4. Centre – 17
5. Oglethorpe – 16
6. Southwestern – 10

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Players Mentioned

#6 Kennedy Harcourt: M/D; 5' 5"; Sophomore

#8 Sally Herrington: A; 5' 3"; Senior

#12 Alex Kelly: A; 6' 0"; Junior

#33 Marlin Price: A; 5' 8"; Senior

#25 Ella Townsend: M/D; 5' 6"; Junior

#7 Sally Whitehead: D/M; 5' 4"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#6 Kennedy Harcourt
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: M/D

#8 Sally Herrington
: 5' 3"; Senior
: A

#12 Alex Kelly
: 6' 0"; Junior
: A

#33 Marlin Price
: 5' 8"; Senior
: A

#25 Ella Townsend
: 5' 6"; Junior
: M/D

#7 Sally Whitehead
: 5' 4"; Senior
: D/M