UF LAX: Gators Place Five on Preseason All-Big 12 Team

Florida was picked to finish first in the Big 12, and claimed three Big 12 Preseason Player of Year honors.

IRVING, Texas – Florida lacrosse placed five players on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, along with being picked to finish first in the Big 12 unanimously. The Gators five athletes are the most of any team in the conference.

Kaitlyn Davies (Preseason Midfielder of the Year), Theresa Bragg (Preseason Defensive Player of the Year), Elyse Finnelle (Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year), Ashley Dyer and Ava Tighe earned All-Big 12 Preseason honors, voted on by the conference’s head coaches.

Finnelle earned Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year as a unanimous selection. The redshirt junior earned AAC Goalkeeper of the Year in 2024 and was named USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason All-American Honorable Mention on Jan. 22. She was ranked the No. 38 player coming into the 2025 season by ILWomen, tallying 156 saves on a .529 save percentage last year.

Davies secured Preseason Midfielder of the Year as a unanimous selection. The junior was a second team All-AAC selection in 2024 and a 2025 USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason All-American honorable mention honoree. Davies tallied 15 draw controls, 13 ground balls, eight caused turnovers and scored one goal last season.

Bragg receives Preseason Defender of the Year after a 2024 season in which she reeled in Second Team All-AAC honors. The junior scooped 24 ground balls, caused 16 turnovers, won three draw controls and dished out one assist last season. She earned 2025 USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason All-American Honorable Mention and was ranked the No. 48 player coming into this season by ILWomen.

Dyer earns her first All-Conference honor, as the sophomore started all 23 games on defense for the Gators as a freshman in 2024. She led the team in caused turnovers with 18, along with grabbing 23 ground balls, one draw control and one assist. The Elkridge, Md. native was a one-time AAC Freshman of the Week selection after she scooped three ground balls and caused three turnovers on April 20 against Cincinnati.

Tighe brings in her first All-Conference honor, after calculating career highs in goals (13), assists (5), ground balls (4), caused turnovers (3) and shooting percentage (.600) across 16 games played and three starts in 2024. With the Gators losing some offensive production from their 2024 team, Tighe is in line for an increased role.

UF is coming off a 20-3 season, entering the Big 12 for their inaugural season. The No. 5/9 Gators will take on No. 11/7 Johns Hopkins on Feb. 7 at 11 a.m. Below is a full list of the Big 12 Preseason Results.

2025 Preseason Big 12 Lacrosse Results
Preseason Poll
1. Florida
2. Colorado
3. Arizona State
4. Cincinnati
5. UC Davis
6. San Diego State
Preseason Attack Player of the Year
Madeline Pisani, Colorado, A, Gr.*

Preseason Midfielder of the Year
Kaitlyn Davies, Florida, M, Jr.*

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Theresa Bragg, Florida, D, Jr.

Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Elyse Finnelle, Florida, GK, RS-Jr.*

Preseason Draw Specialist of the Year
Anna Viglione, Arizona State, M, So.*

Preseason All-Big 12 Team
Elyse Finnelle, Florida, GK, RS-Jr.*
Lydia Oldknow, Arizona State, A, Jr.*
Camryn Callaghan, Cincinnati, A, Jr.*
Lauren Ottensmeyer, Cincinnati, A, Gr.*
Madeline Pisani, Colorado, A, Gr.*
Ava Tighe, Florida, A, Jr.*
Alex Agnew, UC Davis, A, Gr.
Grace Gebhardt, UC Davis, A, Sr.
Bella Ingrao, Arizona State, M, Sr. *
Lily Assini, Colorado, M, Jr.*
Kaitlyn Davies, Florida, M, Jr.*
Sara Toner, San Diego State, M, RS-Sr.
Ella Brislin, UC Davis, M, Sr.*
Helen Park, Arizona State, D, RS-Jr.
Alexis Rich, Cincinnati, D, Sr.*
Jess Peluso, Colorado, D, Jr.*
Theresa Bragg, Florida, D, Jr.*
Ashley Dyer, Florida, D, So.
*Indicates unanimous selection.