Giselle Jaskiewicz Named High School Girls' South Player of the Year

Despite only being a sophomore, Giselle Jaskiewicz is already the all-time leading scorer in Lake Highland Prep girls’ lacrosse history. Even with two years of high school eligibility remaining, Jaskiewicz brought plenty of experience to her squad this year, helping the Highlanders earn a second consecutive state title.

It was not just her offense that stood out, but her all-around play. In addition to 69 goals and 19 assists, she grabbed 44 ground balls and garnered 72 draw controls. She caused 23 turnovers while only taking two penalties all year.

Jaskiewicz is the 2026 USA Lacrosse High School Girls’ South Region Midfielder and Player of the Year.

Some of her best performances came in Lake Highland’s biggest games. She scored three goals and added an assist in the win in the state championship game against American Heritage-Delray. She also had a hat trick in a regular-season loss to American Heritage-Delray.

Against Texas power Hockaday, she scored six goals. She also notched six goals against Cambridge, one of Georgia’s top teams.

She first started seeing game action in 2022 as a seventh grader, becoming a regular contributor as an eighth grader, when she scored 22 goals. She then stepped up in a major way as a freshman, scoring 71 times.

Jaskiewicz comes from a lacrosse family. Her brother, Chris, plays for Providence, while her sister, Jacqueline, plays at Georgetown.

Girls All-South Team

Attacker: Kylie Waters, Sr., Milton (Ga.)

Waters concluded her four years at Milton as a four-time state champion, scoring 78 goals and 23 assists in her final season. In her last high school game, Waters earned a hat trick and a state title. She also had one of her best performances against rival Cambridge, notching seven points. She is headed to Clemson.

Midfielder of the Year: Giselle Jaskiewicz, Lake Highland (Prep.)

See above.

Defender of the Year:  Braylen Schmeelk, Jr., West Forsyth (Ga.)

Coach John Kiefer called Schmeelk the “captain of the defense,” and it’s easy to see why. The junior, who committed to Arizona State, had 21 ground balls and 18 caused turnovers while helping West Forsyth to an undefeated season that culminated in a state title. She led a defense that allowed only 3.6 goals per game and never allowed double figures. Kiefer said she often was called upon to faceguard opposing stars.

Goalie of the Year: Ashley Egbert, Sr., American Heritage-Delray (Fla.)

The Maryland signee helped lead American Heritage-Delray to another berth in the state championship game. She posted a goals-against average better than 5 goals per game while stopping 56 percent of the shots she faced. Her best performances came in a 10-save effort against IMG Academy, which helped the Stallions to a one-goal win.

Specialist of the Year: Courtney Whittaker, Sr., Kinkaid (Texas)

Whittaker, an attacker and draw specialist, finished her time at Kinkaid with 300 career goals and 500 draw controls. She helped her team average over 17 goals a game and led Kinkaid to a 10-4 record. She is committed to Denver.

— Justin Boggs

South Girls Top 10

1. Lake Highland (Fla.), 21-2

For the second consecutive year, the Highlanders toppled American Heritage-Delray in the state championship game. Sophomore Giselle Jaskiewicz had a team-leading 69 goals. Lake Highland’s season was highlighted by wins over Cambridge (Ga.), Hockaday (Texas) and Episcopal Jacksonville (Fla.). Previous: 1

2. American Heritage-Delray (Fla.), 20-2

Once again, the Stallions were on the losing end of a one-goal state title defeat. The season was highlighted by a regular-season win over Lake Highland (Fla.) and Sacred Heart (N.Y.). Brown signee Jamie Woelfel had a team-leading 62 goals. The Stallions lose Jamie Woelfel (Brown), Lily Svirsky (Columbia), Madi Vargas (Florida State) and Ashley Egbert (Mayland) to graduation. Previous: 2

3. West Forsyth (Ga.), 22-0

The Wolverines earned a state championship by pulling out a 10-8 win over Lambert (Ga.), marking back-to-back titles. Sophomore Bryce Birkholz had a team-high 106 goals. The season included wins over Cambridge (Ga.) and Milton (Ga.). Top defender Braylen Schmeelk is slate to return. Previous: 3

4. Milton (Ga.), 19-2

The Eagles earned their ninth consecutive state championship, defeating Lassiter (Ga.) 12-8. Milton’s Kylie Waters scored a hat trick and added an assist in the win. Waters, a Clemson signee, had 78 goals and 23 assists. Milton suffered a rare in-state loss in 2026, losing to West Forsyth. Previous: 4

5. Ponte Vedra (Fla.), 17-3

Junior Grace Raymond’s hat trick helped the Sharks topple Oviedo (Fla.) 13-7 to claim a state championship. Sophomore Shelby Pare had a team-leading 44 goals, while junior Alex Rupp made 95 saves this season. Previous: 5

6. Hockaday (Texas), 16-3

The Daisies defeated Episcopal Dallas (Texas) to defend their state title, thanks to Anna Case’s hat trick and overtime game-winner. The season also included wins over Anderson (Texas) and Bishop Moore (Fla.). Junior Sophia Fagelman had a team-leading 72 goals. Previous: 6

7. Anderson (Texas), 13-1

The Trojans’ quest for perfection was upended in the state semifinal game against Hockaday (Texas). Senior Colorado signee Jillian Murphy had a team-leading 48 goals and 19 assists. Previous: 7

8. Lambert (Ga.), 18-3

The Longhorns fell for a second time against West Forsyth (Ga.), this time in the state championship game. Lambert’s season was highlighted with a win against another Georgia runner-up, Lassiter. Senior goalie Sophia Hall heads to Coastal Carolina while attacker Abigail Flynt goes to Xavier. Previous: 8

9. Pinecrest (N.C.), 22-0

The Patriots earned an undefeated state championship by toppling Apex 9-7. Pinecrest also had wins against Charlotte Catholic (N.C.) and Chapel Hill (N.C.). Freshman Virginia Grey Sutton had a team-leading 75 goals. American signee Peyton Page had a 60-goal season. Previous: 10

10. Jacksonville (Fla.), 16-4

The Eagles’ season came to an end in the state championship after falling to Lake Highland 14-8. The season was highlighted by a win over Ponte Vedra (Fla.). Duke recruit Brooke McCoy had a team-leading 67 goals. Previous: 9