Story Links
LEXINGTON, Va. – Entering her fifth season at the helm, VMI Water Polo Head Coach Danielle Montenegro is excited to welcome in six new players for the upcoming 2025 season.
The class features cadets from four states, combining for five different positions.
“This is the largest incoming class we’ve had in the past 10 years,” Montenegro said. “They are a very experienced group, and bring much needed depth to our team. I’m looking forward to their immediate impact this coming season.”
Taylor Hammond – Goalkeeper – Newton Square, Pa.
As a senior, Hammond averaged an impressive 15 blocks per game in net and competed for the Comets Club. Hammond earned her varsity stripes in 2021 at Episcopal Academy. Hammond kept plenty busy outside of the water, as she was a member of the: Key Club, Freshman Community Service Core, Install It Club, Coding Club, Women In Stem Club, and EA/Haverford/AIS Day Video Committee. A three-sport athlete, Hammond played basketball and lacrosse at Episcopal and earned the John A. Harter Award. She will be majoring in computer information systems.
Olivia Mitchell – Utility – Annapolis, Md.
A woman of many talents, Mitchell was a four-sport athlete in high school, lettering in lacrosse, swim (state championship qualifier), track and water polo. Competing for various clubs during high school, Mitchell would make the Junior Olympics with the Navy Academy Aquatic Club in Annapolis, Maryland, playing primarily the utility position. A graduate of Broadneck High School, Mitchell intends to major in biology and minor in chemistry, and will seek commission with the US Navy.
Haley Minnich – Attacker/2MD – Shillington, Pa.
Picking up Water Polo as a second grader, Minnich earned four varsity letters at Governor Mifflin High School where she was also a member of the swim team. Among other teams Minnich competed for are the NORCO Club, the CT Premier Water Polo Club and the USA Olympic Development Program. Among her high school accolades are third team all-state and all-conference honors, helping her team to a fourth-place finish in states as a senior. In the classroom, Minnich took AP biology, AP Seminar, AP U.S. History, AP Language and AP Psychology and was a three-time honor roll awardee. She plans to major in psychology.
Kathyrn Myler – Utility – Davis, Calif.
A four-year letterwinner at Davis High School in water polo, Myler also was a member of multiple Olympic Development Program Teams and earned the Nick Johnson Inspiration Award. At Davis High School, Myler was also a member of the varsity swim team, was also a ranked shooter for the Yolo Sportsmen’s Association Junior Rifle Team in both the air rifle and smallbore. Outside of the water, Myler donated much of her time with the National Charity League, was a two-time USA Water Polo Academic All-American and a member of the National Honors Society. Majoring in economics and business, Myler is also a member of the VMI Rifle Team.
Hollie Sauceda – Utility – Clovis, Calif.
Another utility, Sauceda would graduate from Buchanan High School, as well as competed for the Royal 559 Water Polo Academy and the Central Zone Olympic Development Program team. Sauceda also completed courses at Clovis Community College, completing three associates of arts degrees before graduating high school. She is a three-time Academic All-American for USA Water Polo, and plans to major in international studies and minor in Arabic.
Makynna Smith – Center – Houston, Texas
Smith divided her water polo time between Cypress Creek High School and the Houston Storm Club. An impact player, Smith was awarded UIL All-District MVP and was a key contributor on two state championship-winning teams. In 2023, Smith ranked 13th nationally with 163 points, netting 126 goals to go with 68 assists. While at Cypress Creek, Smith earned Honorable Mention All-Region and All-District Second Team honors and was a two-time captain. Smith helped her 2022 team to a District Championship, Region III Finalist and TISCA State Championship. She plans to major in International Studies.