University of Massachusets Athletics
Ollerenshaw and Valentine Named UMass Student-Athletes of the Week
April 13, 2026 | General, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Crew, Athletics Department
Rowing and women's lacrosse earn the weekly accolade.
AMHERST, Mass. – Olivia Ollerenshaw of rowing and Bridget Valentine of women's lacrosse were named UMass Student-Athletes of the Week, presented by UMassFive College Credit Union, announced on Monday. The two will be honored at the UMass Sports Luncheon this week.
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The luncheon takes place on Wednesday, April 15 at noon in the Berkshire Room of the Berkshire Dining Commons. Cost to attend is $17 (15.30 for UMass Alumni).
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Ollerenshaw in the stroke seat led the UMass Varsity 8 to a silver medal showing at the 2026 Knecht Cup on the Copper River over the weekend. On Sunday morning, the Varsity 8 won the second semifinal in a time of 7:10.29 and then in the afternoon went on to post a second-place showing in the Varsity 8 Final with an impressive 6:53.05 to beat Bucknell, Boston College, Temple and Boston University. In doing so, the UMass Varsity 8 finished ahead of MAC opponent Temple, along with Delaware and Eastern Michigan who were in the third-level final.
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Valentine enjoyed career performances over the course of the two games, tallying seven groundballs and nine caused turnovers. In a 14-4 win over Eastern Michigan Saturday, she had four groundballs and a career-high seven caused turnovers, which also tied a program record. It tied the record by a UMass player, when Audra Tosone also had seven on Apr. 5, 2023 against Duquesne. The seven caused turnovers also tied for the fifth most by any player in NCAA Division I women's lacrosse this season. Valentine was part of a defense that held Eastern Michigan scoreless for the game's final 27:57. The Minutewomen held Eastern Michigan to its lowest goal total of the season and lowest regular-season goal total since 2024. Valentine added three groundballs and two caused turnovers in Tuesday's 20-9 win over Columbia, along with an assist. She leads the team with 31 caused turnovers on the season, which is among the national leaders. Â The 31 is already 10th in UMass program history as well.
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The luncheon takes place on Wednesday, April 15 at noon in the Berkshire Room of the Berkshire Dining Commons. Cost to attend is $17 (15.30 for UMass Alumni).
Â
Ollerenshaw in the stroke seat led the UMass Varsity 8 to a silver medal showing at the 2026 Knecht Cup on the Copper River over the weekend. On Sunday morning, the Varsity 8 won the second semifinal in a time of 7:10.29 and then in the afternoon went on to post a second-place showing in the Varsity 8 Final with an impressive 6:53.05 to beat Bucknell, Boston College, Temple and Boston University. In doing so, the UMass Varsity 8 finished ahead of MAC opponent Temple, along with Delaware and Eastern Michigan who were in the third-level final.
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Valentine enjoyed career performances over the course of the two games, tallying seven groundballs and nine caused turnovers. In a 14-4 win over Eastern Michigan Saturday, she had four groundballs and a career-high seven caused turnovers, which also tied a program record. It tied the record by a UMass player, when Audra Tosone also had seven on Apr. 5, 2023 against Duquesne. The seven caused turnovers also tied for the fifth most by any player in NCAA Division I women's lacrosse this season. Valentine was part of a defense that held Eastern Michigan scoreless for the game's final 27:57. The Minutewomen held Eastern Michigan to its lowest goal total of the season and lowest regular-season goal total since 2024. Valentine added three groundballs and two caused turnovers in Tuesday's 20-9 win over Columbia, along with an assist. She leads the team with 31 caused turnovers on the season, which is among the national leaders. Â The 31 is already 10th in UMass program history as well.
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Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Lacrosse
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