Take a look: The State’s 2026 all-area HS girls lacrosse team, players of the year
A look at The State’s Midlands all-area girls lacrosse teams and players of the year for the 2026 season.
All-Area Girls Lacrosse Team
— The State’s Player of the Year —
Lily Sundell, Lexington: Senior and Gardner-Webb signee scored 101 goals, 47 assists, 60 ground balls, 52 caused turnovers and 312 draw wins in 430 draw attempts. Sundell was Lower State player of the Year, first-team All-State midfield and first team All-State draw specialist. She was a North-South All-Star selection.
— Readers’ choice Player of the Year (fan vote) —
Piper Haskett, Mid-Carolina and Lily Sundell, Lexington: (vote finished in a tie)
First Team
McKenna Bowen, Lexington: Sophomore had 56 goals, 17 assists, 40 ground balls, 17 caused turnovers and 98 draw controls for the Wildcats.
Larsen Hege, Chapin: Senior defender had 43 ground balls and 28 caused turnovers. Hege was second team all-state and signed with Lander.
Payton Hart, River Bluff: Senior had 48 goals, 23 assists, 17 ground balls, 58 draw wins and 39 draw controls. Hart was first-team All-State, North-South All-Star and signed with Lander.
Piper Haskett, Mid-Carolina: The sophomore had 111 goals, four assists, 52 ground balls and 84 draw controls. Haskett was first-team All-State selection.
Clara Jones, Chapin: Freshman midfielder had 13 goals, 14 assists, 20 ground balls, 21 caused turnovers and 52 draw controls. Jones was second team all-state as a draw specialist.
Lucy Laffitte, AC Flora: Junior defender was first-team All-State selection and had 27 ground balls and 16 caused turnovers.
Bonnie Pope, Heathwood Hall: Junior goalie was SCISA Player of the Year in helping the Highlanders to their first state championship. Pope allowed 6.8 goals per game, had a 55 percent save percentage, including 68 in the final two quarters.
Everette Pope, Heathwood Hall: Sophomore midfielder had 73 goals, 11 assists, 33 ground balls, 95 draw controls in helping Highlanders to a SCISA state championship. Pope was a first-team All-SCISA selection.
Lily Sundell, Lexington: Senior and Gardner-Webb signee scored 101 goals, 47 assists, 60 ground balls, 52 caused turnovers and 312 draw wins in 430 draw attempts. Sundell was Lower State Player of the Year, first-team All-State midfield and first team All-State draw specialist. She was a North-South All-Star selection.
Olivia Turner, Dutch Fork: Senior had 55 goals, 15 assists, 43 ground balls and 23 caused turnovers. Turner was a second-team all-state selection.
Jada VanSickle, Lexington: Junior defender was first-team all-state selection and had 11 goals, 6 assists, 41 ground balls, 28 caused turnovers and 8 draw controls.
Louise Vipperman, AC Flora: Senior attack had 86 goals and 28 assists to go along with 49 ground balls. Vipperman was first team All-State attack and North-South All-Star selection.
Goalies
Lauren Adams, Chapin: Junior had a 6.5 goals against average and 96 saves this season.
Mary Stone, River Bluff: Sophomore had 154 saves and an 8.2 goals allowed per game. Stone was a first-team all-state selection.
Second Team
Larson Blackhurst, River Bluff; Briana Bonds, Spring Valley; Makayla Brink, Chapin; Ella Copeland, Lexington; Ellie Goodwyn, AC Flora; Caroline Herpel, AC Flora; Valerie Jungclaus, AC Flora; Kate McPherson, White Knoll; Lil Seeby, River Bluff; Anna Swindler, Blythewood; Grace Tharp, Dutch Fork; Sophia Turner, Heathwood Hall; Elle Wright, Chapin
This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 8:00 AM.
