TAMPA, Fla. – The 2026 All-Sun Conference Women's Lacrosse Specialty Award winners were announced Wednesday morning following a vote of the league’s head coaches.

SCAD Savannah’s Ellen Benintendi was named Player of the Year after leading the conference in goals (25) and points (33) during league play. In overall action, she ranks third in the conference in goals (47) and fourth in points (62).

SCAD Savannah’s McKinsey Brown was named Offensive Player of the Year after ranking third in conference play in both goals (22) and points (31). In overall action, she ranks sixth in the conference in both categories. The duo of Benintendi and Brown helped lead an SCAD offense that ranks No. 4 nationally in goals per game (16.85).

Ave Maria’s Haley Chapman was named Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in caused turnovers (21) during league play. She totaled 32 caused turnovers on the season, ranking seventh nationally. Chapman also ranked second in conference action in draw controls (29) and added 14 ground balls. She helped anchor a defense that ranks second nationally in ground balls (378), seventh in draw controls (213), and eighth in caused turnovers (153).

Keiser’s Tess Geiger was named Freshman of the Year after totaling 14 points in conference play and 40 overall, ranking 14th in the league in both categories. In conference action, she recorded 12 goals, which ranks 12th in the league, and is the top-ranked freshman in the conference in both goals and points while sitting third in draw controls in her debut season with the Seahawks.

Kylie Tittinger of Ave Maria was named the Sun Conference Champions of Character award recipient. She is a Dean’s List student with a 3.98 GPA, majoring in Philosophy with a minor in Marriage and Family Studies. She is an NAIA Scholar-Athlete, St. John Paul II Fellow of Marian Culture, and Mother Teresa Scholar, and was the recipient of Ave Maria’s Mark Doren Leadership Award. A two-time team captain, Tittinger earned 2023 First Team All-Sun, 2024 Second Team All-Sun, and 2024 Third Team NAIA All-American honors before a career-ending injury in February 2025. Following her injury, she remained involved with the program, assisting with team operations and leadership efforts.

Off the field, Tittinger serves as President of the Sisterhood of Mary Magdalene Household and Student Activities Board Secretary, and has completed more than 110 hours of community service across various initiatives. According to head coach Katelyn Sherman, “Kylie’s impact on our program and campus has been immeasurable. Her leadership, resilience, and commitment to serving others embody the true spirit of this award.”

SCAD Savannah’s Tyler Yelken was named Coach of the Year. In his first year at the helm of the Bees, Yelken led SCAD to the Sun Conference Regular Season Championship, finishing undefeated in conference play and posting an 11-2 overall record. Under his leadership, eight players earned All-Conference recognition, including four First Team selections and four Second Team honorees. SCAD enters the conference tournament as the No. 1 seed and is currently ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Top 10.

The 2026 Sun Conference Women’s Lacrosse Tournament kicks off Thursday, April 23 at 3:00 p.m. For more information on this year's championship, click here.

* - Repeat All-Conference honorees from last year

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