Radford Picked Fourth Overall, Katie Bendrick and Grace Gleason All-Conference Honorees

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – For the fourth consecutive season the Radford women's lacrosse team was projected to conclude the upcoming season in the top-5 according to the 2021 Big South Conference Preseason Poll. The Highlanders were selected at fourth overall, which ties their highest ranking in program history, along with a pair of All-Conference honorees in Katie Bendrick and Grace Gleason.

"I am so happy for Katie and Grace to receive this honor from the Big South," said head coach Haley Hardy.

The 2020 season was cut short due to the pandemic but Radford (3-6) played a total of nine games prior to the cancellation. The Highlanders opened against the Red Flash to begin the season 1-0 for the third consecutive year and notch their third straight victory over Saint Francis (Pa.). Radford journeyed north to face Hartford and Central Connecticut State, sweeping both teams to enjoy a two-game win streak prior to the untimely conclusion of the season.

Bendrick has been tabbed as a preseason All-Conference selection in back-to-back seasons now. She started in eight of Radford's nine games, but saw action in every contest. She also paced the Highlanders with 47 draw controls while adding 18 ground balls and notched seven turnovers in 2020. On a national scale, Bendrick was 41st in draw controls per game and first in the Big South, winning a season-high of 13 against Central Connecticut State. She is the first in program history to earn VaSID All-State First Team honors.

"Katie has been a force on defense and the draw since her freshman year, and I believe [she] is playing her best lacrosse now as a junior. Her ceiling is just so high, there is really nothing she can't do."

Gleason's offensive command was on full display last year, starting in all nine games at the midfield position. She led the team with 15 goals in addition to her 11 ground balls, 13 draw controls, and five caused turnovers. Through those nine games, she recorded a shot on goal percentage of 81 percent as well as four free position goals.

"Grace had a breakout year for us last season, which unfortunately got cut short just as she was heating up. She is a selfless player who just wants to win games, I am excited to watch her top last year's performance."

2021 BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE PRESEASON WOMEN'S LACROSSE POLL

Rk.	School (1st-place votes)	Points
1.	High Point (7)	49
2.	Campbell	39
3.	Winthrop	32
4.	Radford	25
5.	Longwood	23
6.	Gardner-Webb	21
7.	Presbyterian	7

Note: points are based on a weighted system, with first-place votes receiving seven points, followed by six for second-place, and so on.

PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
ATT   Abby Hormes, Sr., High Point
ATT   Julianna Sanchez, R-Fr., Campbell
ATT   Lauren Morris, Sr., Winthrop
MF    Ashley Britton, Gr., High Point
MF    Lauren Asher, Jr., Winthrop
MF    Dana Joss, Gr., Longwood
D      Katie Bendrick, Jr., Radford
D      Janice Donaldson, Gr., Gardner-Webb
D      Claire Libby, Soph., Longwood
D      Annie Ryan, R-Soph., Campbell
GK    Sarah Zeto, Sr., High Point
AL    Grace Gleason, Jr., Radford
AL    Talen Francis, Sr., Gardner-Webb
AL    Alex Salim, R-Jr., Campbell

PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Abby Hormes, ATT, Sr., High Point

PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ashley Britton, MF, Gr., High Point

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For more information on the Radford women's lacrosse team visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordWLAX on Twitter, 'radfordwlax' on Instagram or Radford Women's Lacrosse on Facebook.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Katie Bendrick: D; 5' 7"; Junior

#37 Grace Gleason: M; 5' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#10 Katie Bendrick
: 5' 7"; Junior
: D

#37 Grace Gleason
: 5' 3"; Junior
: M

Radford University Athletics

Players Mentioned

#10 Katie Bendrick

#37 Grace Gleason

Players Mentioned

#10 Katie Bendrick

#37 Grace Gleason