Army West Point Athletics
Volleyball's Mackenzie Lynch Receives Patriot League Preseason Honors
August 20, 2025 | Volleyball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Senior Mackenzie Lynch received Patriot League preseason honors while the Black Knights were voted second in the Patriot League Volleyball Preseason Poll.
Lynch receives the preseason honor for the first time in her collegiate career following a strong junior year campaign. She was named First Team All-Patriot League after logging career-bests in kills (255), assists (26), aces (11), digs (322), block assists (50), and total blocks (59).
Lynch also finished the regular season leading the team in digs and held the top spot for most digs in the Patriot League of all non-libero or DS players before postseason play. She also finished the season third on the team and ninth in the league in kills, and fourth on the team in total blocks.
The Black Knights were also voted to finish second in the Patriot League standings, earning 53 points and one first-place vote.
Last season under head coach Alma Kovaci Lee, the Black Knights finished the season 16-12 overall and 10-6 in Patriot League play.
Army made a deep run in the 2024 Patriot League Tournament, reaching the Championship Match after defeating Loyola Maryland in the Quarterfinal Match and Bucknell in the Semifinal Match.
2025 Patriot League Preseason Women's Volleyball Major Awards
Player of the Year – Milan Bayless, Colgate, Jr., OH
Setter of the Year – Caleigh O'Connell, Bucknell, So., S
Libero of the Year – Bella Marrero, American, So., L
2025 Preseason All-Patriot League Women's Volleyball Team
Zedo Yilmaz, American, So., OH
Elise Sterling, American, So., MB
Mackenzie Lynch, Army West Point, Sr., OH
Caleigh O'Connell, Bucknell, Sr., S
Sidney Shaffer, Bucknell, Jr., MB
Milan Bayless, Colgate, Jr., OH
Natalie Luscomb, Lehigh, Jr., RS
Note: Student-athletes are listed alphabetically by institution
2025 Patriot League Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll
1. Colgate, 64 (8 first-place votes)
2. Army West Point, 53 (1 first-place vote)
3. Bucknell, 49
4. American, 46
5. Lehigh, 38
6. Loyola Maryland, 25
7. Navy, 24
8. Lafayette, 16
9. Holy Cross, 9
First serve for the Black Knights' 2025 season will be on August 29 as they head to Raleigh, North Carolina for the Summit Hospitality Invitational. They will take on tournament host, NC State at 7 p.m. ET on Aug. 29, with the game streaming live on ACC Network Extra.
