ROCK HILL, S.C. – The South Atlantic Conference Field Hockey Coaches have unveiled their annual Preseason Poll and Players to Watch for the upcoming season. 
 
The Valkyries field hockey team has been picked to finish fifth in this year's poll with 40 total points. Newberry was picked to finish first with 60 total points and tallied six first place votes. Lander was picked second with 55 total points and one first place vote, Belmont Abbey was picked to finish third and Wingate was picked to finish fourth. Below Converse in the rankings are Coker and Barton.
 
Five Valkyries were named to the Preseason Players to Watch List this year by the Conference office. Chelsy Bunse (Oberhausen, Germany) and Alina Puentes both return for their senior season as they look to lead the Valkyries to the postseason for the eighth straight season. Joining Bunse and Puentes on the Watch List are Edith Swaan (Leidschendam, Netherlands), Autumn Kern (Lusby, Md.) and Brooke Burgin (Asheville, N.C.).
 
 
2026 SAC Field Hockey Preseason Poll
 
Rank    School (1st Place)       Score
 
1.         Newberry (6)                60
2.         Lander (1)                    55
3.         Belmont Abbey            53
4.         Wingate                       46
5.         Converse                     40
6.         Coker                           33
7.         Barton                          32
 
For more information on the Converse field hockey team, log onto govalkyries.com today.
 
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