2026 Women's Lacrosse All-Conference Honors Released

The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) has announced its 2026 Women's Lacrosse awards. All awards are selected by a vote of conference head coaches. First and Second Teams consist of 16 members each. Individual awards include Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Champion of Character Coach.

Offensive Player of the Year: Alyson Walendzak, Lawrence Tech

For the fourth consecutive season, the WHAC offensive player of the year comes from Lawrence Tech. Sophomore Alyson Walendzak had a huge campaign, leading the conference in goals with 54. The Oregon, Ohio native also led the league in points (73), shots (122) and shots on goal (97) and was fifth in assists with 19. Her efforts helped the Blue Devils to a 10-6 regular season mark and 8-3 record in conference action. She is the seventh LTU player all-time to garner the honor. 

Defensive Player of the Year: Olivia Dean, Marian

Last season's Newcomer and Defensive Player of the Year, Dean repeats on the defensive end following a tremendous sophomore season. The Fishers, Ind. native is sixth in the nation in ground balls (36) and second in caused turnovers (38) to headline one of the stingiest defenses in the country, allowing just 9.17 opponent goals per game. Her efforts helped the Knights to an outright WHAC regular season title with a 11-3 overall record and 9-1 mark in conference play. Dean becomes the third player in conference history to repeat as defensive player of the year and is the second Marian player to win this honor. 

Midfielder of the Year: Michelle Farrell, Indiana Tech

Another repeat from a season ago, Michelle Farrell has once again been selected as the WHAC Midfielder of the Year. The Auckland, New Zealand native did a lot of everything for the Warriors, finishing second in the WHAC in goals (41), second in assists (24) and second in points (65). She was also third in the WHAC in total shots (79). Farrell led the way for an Indiana Tech team that finished 10-4 overall and 8-2 in conference action. She becomes the first player in conference history to repeat as the Midfielder of the Year. 

Newcomer of the Year: Lilliana Rivera, Indiana Tech

Indiana Tech's Lilliana Rivera was selected by head coaches as the Newcomer of the Year. The freshman from Munster, Ind. had a big first season, starting all 12 games for the Warriors. Rivera finished the regular season with 24 goals, 18 assists, 42 points, 23 ground balls and 11 caused turovers. She becomes the first WHAC Newcomer of the Year in program history for Indiana Tech. 

Coach of the Year: Allie Storke-Sneed, Marian

Allie Storke-Sneed was selected by her peers as the WHAC Coach of the Year. This is her first time earning the honor in her five seasons as the head coach of the Knights. Storke-Sneed led the team to its first outright WHAC title in program history and second consecutive season earning atleast a share of the title. The Knights finished the year with an 11-3 overall record and 9-1 mark in conference play. 

Champion of Character Coach: Jeremy Brown, Bethel

Jeremy Brown was voted WHAC Champion of Character Coach. Brown wins the honor for the fourth time ever and second in as many seasons. He is recognized for exemplifying the NAIA's five core values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.

In addition to the All-Conference awards, the WHAC also announced its All-Academic and Champions of Character teams. The All-Academic Team consists of sophomores or above with a cumulative 3.25 GPA who have been at their school for one full year. The Champions of Character Team comprises one player from each school who best represents the five core character values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.