Drexel University Athletics
Drexel Field Hockey Welcomes New Additions for the 2026 Seasons
8/6/2026 10:25:00 AM | Field Hockey
PHILADELPHIA — The Drexel field hockey team, led by longtime head coach Denise Zelenak, welcomes six newcomers ahead of the 2026 season. The class includes four freshmen and two transfers, representing Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the Netherlands and Belgium.
Boasting 15 years of experience at the club level, including four years representing Belgium nationally, Nackaerts brings extensive international experience to the Dragons' midfield. She also helped Belgium capture gold at both the 4 Nations and 6 Nations tournaments while competing with the country's U16 and U18 teams.
Julia Sarkissian I F I Fr I Avondale, Pennsylvania I Avon Grove
A two-time all-state selection, Sarkissian joins the Dragons after graduating from Avon Grove High School. The Avondale native also earned NCC All-Star and First Team All-Chesmont honors while helping Avon Grove capture the 2025 Chesmont League championship. She was additionally named First Team All-Academic and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Sanne Smits I GK I Fr I Malvern, Pennsylvania I Great Valley
A two-time First Team All-Chesmont selection, Smits arrives at Drexel from Great Valley High School. The Malvern native brings proven experience in net and will add talent, and depth to the Dragons' goalkeeping unit. Off the field, she was a National Honor Society member and Honor Roll student.
The group is joined by two transfers, Callen Todd joins the Dragons after transferring from James Madison, while Ava Trexler arrives from Maryland.
Callen Todd I D/M I So I Chester Springs, Pennsylvania I Villa Maria I James Madison
The Chester Springs native returns to Pennsylvania after spending two years at James Madison. Todd captained Villa Maria Academy to a PIAA Class 2A state championship, earning PHSFHCA First Team All-State and All-AACA honors along the way. After redshirting during her first season with the Dukes, she appeared in ten games this past season, making two starts and earning Academic All-MAC recognition.
Ava Trexler I M I Gr I Pittsgrove, New Jersey I Arthur P. Schalick I Maryland
Trexler joins the Dragons following four seasons at Maryland, bringing valuable Big Ten experience to Drexel's midfield and defensive units. She appeared in 26 games for the Terps, contributed to six shutouts in 2024 and was part of Maryland's 2022 NCAA Final Four team. Trexler also earned multiple academic honors, including Academic All-Big Ten recognition and a spot on the NFHCA Academic Squad. The Pittsgrove native was a three-time First Team All-Conference selection and three-time captain at Arthur P. Schalick High School, bringing versatility and leadership to the Dragons
"We are pleased to welcome six amazing newcomers to our program this Fall," said Zelenak. "They are all tremendous competitors, who bring high energy and great talent to our program."
Ludy Holst, Julia Sarkissian, Cato Nackaerts, and Sanne Smits make up the incoming class of first year Dragons.Ludy Holst I D I Fr I Wassenaar, Netherlands I Rijnlands Lyceum Wassenaar
Holst joins the Dragons from Wassenaar, Netherlands, after attending Rijnlands Lyceum Wassenaar. The 6-foot freshman will add size and depth to Drexel's defensive corps as she begins her collegiate career in 2026. A multisport athlete, Holst also participated in tennis and skiing during her time in the Netherlands.
Boasting 15 years of experience at the club level, including four years representing Belgium nationally, Nackaerts brings extensive international experience to the Dragons' midfield. She also helped Belgium capture gold at both the 4 Nations and 6 Nations tournaments while competing with the country's U16 and U18 teams.
Julia Sarkissian I F I Fr I Avondale, Pennsylvania I Avon Grove
A two-time all-state selection, Sarkissian joins the Dragons after graduating from Avon Grove High School. The Avondale native also earned NCC All-Star and First Team All-Chesmont honors while helping Avon Grove capture the 2025 Chesmont League championship. She was additionally named First Team All-Academic and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Sanne Smits I GK I Fr I Malvern, Pennsylvania I Great Valley
A two-time First Team All-Chesmont selection, Smits arrives at Drexel from Great Valley High School. The Malvern native brings proven experience in net and will add talent, and depth to the Dragons' goalkeeping unit. Off the field, she was a National Honor Society member and Honor Roll student.
The group is joined by two transfers, Callen Todd joins the Dragons after transferring from James Madison, while Ava Trexler arrives from Maryland.
Callen Todd I D/M I So I Chester Springs, Pennsylvania I Villa Maria I James Madison
The Chester Springs native returns to Pennsylvania after spending two years at James Madison. Todd captained Villa Maria Academy to a PIAA Class 2A state championship, earning PHSFHCA First Team All-State and All-AACA honors along the way. After redshirting during her first season with the Dukes, she appeared in ten games this past season, making two starts and earning Academic All-MAC recognition.
Ava Trexler I M I Gr I Pittsgrove, New Jersey I Arthur P. Schalick I Maryland
Trexler joins the Dragons following four seasons at Maryland, bringing valuable Big Ten experience to Drexel's midfield and defensive units. She appeared in 26 games for the Terps, contributed to six shutouts in 2024 and was part of Maryland's 2022 NCAA Final Four team. Trexler also earned multiple academic honors, including Academic All-Big Ten recognition and a spot on the NFHCA Academic Squad. The Pittsgrove native was a three-time First Team All-Conference selection and three-time captain at Arthur P. Schalick High School, bringing versatility and leadership to the Dragons
Players Mentioned
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