Delaware Online/The News Journal opens voting for 2026 preseason field hockey Player of the Year
Defending champions Smyrna and Wilmington Friends lead a field of top returning players as the publication seeks to identify the state’s standout high school athlete for the upcoming season.
Delaware Online/The News Journal has initiated voting for the 2026 preseason high school field hockey Player of the Year, an award presented by Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists. The selection process focuses on identifying the top returning talent from the previous year’s postseason rankings, with the constraint that only one athlete per school may be nominated.
The shortlist features five players who have established themselves as key figures in their respective programmes. Ava Elias, a junior from Smyrna, is a leading contender after earning first team All-State honours in Division I. Her selection follows a season where she helped the Eagles secure the Division I state championship.
Molly Masten, a senior from Milford, also secured first team All-State recognition in Division I. Masten returns for the Buccaneers, who finished the previous campaign with a record of 7-8-1, bringing her experience to a squad looking to build on last season’s performance.
Bernadette Patino, a junior from Archmere, is recognised for her offensive output. As a sophomore, she tallied 40 points to earn first team All-State honours in Division II, marking a significant individual achievement for the programme.
Atia Sabbagh, a senior from Cape Henlopen, was a Division I first team All-State selection in 2025. She led her team to the Division I championship game and was ranked second on the publication’s postseason player rankings. Sabbagh has committed to play at St. Joseph’s University.
Genevieve Walch, a senior from Newark Charter, rounds out the candidates. Walch helped lead her team to the Division II title game and was a first team All-State selection in Division II in 2025. She has committed to Syracuse University.
Smyrna and Wilmington Friends enter the 2026 season as the defending state champions, setting a high benchmark for the competition. Voting remains open for readers to determine which of these athletes will be crowned the preseason Player of the Year.
