Valentine Van Hellemont, the 2026 CAA Preseason Player of the Year, continues a streak that began with back-to-back honors in 2024 and 2025, having already been named a first-team All-American and a two-time CAA Player of the Year.
Preseason Honors and Expectations
The Dragons were slotted second in the league’s preseason poll, collecting 38 points and earning two first-place votes, trailing only Monmouth, which topped the chart with 40 points.
Returning seniors Pili Lemoine and Fleur Hamers, alongside midfielder Florienne Bosdijk and defensive mainstay Nicole Enslin, bring a blend of offensive firepower and defensive stability, having each earned All-CAA recognition and contributed double-digit points in the previous season.
Freshman Cato Nackaerts arrives from Belgium, while Maryland transfer Ava Trexler adds experience from 26 collegiate appearances, bolstering the squad’s depth as it prepares for its season opener on the road against Maryland on August 28.
With a mix of proven leaders and promising newcomers, Drexel aims to translate its preseason momentum into another championship push, hoping to defend the CAA title it captured in 2025.