McClendon joined the field hockey coaching staff in spring 2023 after serving as an assistant coach at Converse University.
In her third season, she helped the Catamounts lead the conference with a 1.58 goals-against average. Abby Wilber ranked fourth in the America East with two defensive saves, while Sophia Lefranc added one.Â
Vermont posted six shutouts on the season and captured its first regular-season title with a 4-1 win over Maine on Oct. 30. The Catamounts allowed just one goal in the America East Playoffs, defeating Maine 1-0 in the semifinals (3-1 shootout) to reach their second straight championship game before falling to New Hampshire. Maddy Weaver earned All-Conference Second Team honors, and the staff was named America East Coaching Staff of the Year.
In her second season, McClendon’s defense allowed 1.60 goals per game, the second-best mark in the conference. Lefranc finished sixth in the league with three defensive saves, while Alicia Battistelli and Weaver each had one.
Vermont ranked 20th in the nation with five defensive saves and allowed just three goals in the conference playoffs. They recorded two shutouts to secure the program’s first America East title and its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. Sophia Drees was named America East Defensive Player of the Year, All-Conference First Team, and All-Tournament Team after totaling 22 points on seven goals and eight assists
In her first season, she helped the defense hold opponents to 2.50 goals per game, the fifth-best mark in the conference. Ally Kennedy finished eighth in the league with two defensive saves, while Meg Weyer added one. Drees earned All-Conference Second Team honors after scoring six goals and dishing out six assists for 18 points.
Prior to Vermont, McClendon helped lead Converse to a 17-2 record and a South Atlantic Conference Tournament title in 2022. The team was ranked in the top 10 nationally throughout the season, and she coached the conference’s offensive and defensive players of the year.
A five-year starter at Old Dominion University, McClendon started all 84 games of her career, recording one goal and 33 assists for 35 points as a back. She earned second-team All-Big East honors twice and was a two-time All-Big East Tournament selection. She was named to the NFHCA Senior Team and All-Academic Squad, and was recognized as an NFHCA Scholar of Distinction in 2021.
At Old Dominion, she was a member of the university’s Racial Equality Taskforce. She also competed in the USA Young Women’s National Tournament in 2018 and was a two-time state champion at First Colonial. McClendon is a native of Virginia Beach, Va.Â