ATLANTA (March 23, 2026) –The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced today the NAIA award winners for the 2025-26 season.
Coach of the Year
Lauren Glenn of Olivet Nazarene University is the 2026 WBCA NAIA Coach of the Year. Glenn will receive the Pat Summitt Trophy, named for the late legendary University of Tennessee coach and awarded annually to the coaches of the year in each of the WBCA’s membership divisions.
“The WBCA is pleased to announce Lauren Glenn as the 2026 recipient of the Pat Summitt Trophy presented to the WBCA NAIA Coach of the Year,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle M. Donehew. “Lauren was chosen for this honor by her peers after leading her team to an outstanding season. We congratulate Lauren on her success.”
Here are the finalists for WBCA NAIA Coach of the Year:
| Name | Institution | |
| Jessica Case | Hope International University | |
| Joshua Epperson | Southeastern University | |
| Lauren Glenn | Olivet Nazarene University | |
| David Smalley | University of Rio Grande | |
| Michael Sons | Nelson University | |
| Madi Wallace | Evangel University | |
Player of the Year
Abbey McNally of Marian University (Indiana) is the 2026 WBCA NAIA Player of the Year. She headlines the 2026 WBCA NAIA Coaches’ All-America team.
“The WBCA is proud to announce Abbey McNally as the 2026 WBCA NAIA Player of the Year,” said Donehew. “Abbey is most deserving of this distinguished honor. The WBCA family of coaches congratulates Abbey on her hard work, dedication and exceptional play during the 2025-26 season.”
Coaches’ All-America
Here are the 2026 WBCA NAIA Coaches’ All-Americans:
| Name | Institution | |
| Mikee Buchanan | Bethel University (TN) | |
| Semaj Clark | Milligan University | |
| Taylor Covington | Indiana Institute of Technology | |
| Marlee Grinstead | University of Rio Grande | |
| Micah Hart | Bethel University (TN) | |
| Abbey McNally | Marian University (IN) | |
| Alissa O’Dell | Loyola University | |
| Tatum Schmerbach | Oregon Institute of Technology | |
| Heaven Shockley | Evangel University | |
| Paige Shockley | Rocky Mountain College | |
“We applaud the members of the 2026 WBCA NAIA Coaches’ All-America team,” said Donehew. “Each of these young women has achieved an elite level of play within the NAIA and by doing so has increased public awareness of the women’s game.”
Here are the student-athletes who received 2026 WBCA NAIA Coaches’ All-America honorable mention:
| Name | Institution | |
| Willa Albrecht | Carroll College | |
| Sitara Byrd | Lewis-Clark State College | |
| Ashley Dickey | University of Tennessee Southern | |
| Carson Dillard | Evangel University | |
| Taylor Farris | Indiana University East | |
| Grace Field | Southeastern University | |
| Cassidy Hambelton | Evangel University | |
| Whitney Hay | Campbellsville University | |
| Zoe Kennedy | Clarke University | |
| Ashtyn Klusmeyer | Columbia College (MO) | |
| Emma Pedroza | Lourdes University | |
| Tayton Smith | Tabor College | |
| Ruthie Smith | Faulkner University | |
| Emily Till | Arizona Christian University | |
| Kaycie Warfel | Taylor University | |
| Ashtyn Wobig | Northwestern College | |
| Abigail Wolter | St. Ambrose University | |
The WBCA NAIA Coach of the Year, Player of the Year and Coaches’ All-America team are selected by the WBCA NAIA Awards Committee from coaches and student-athletes who are nominated by WBCA member coaches.
Visit https://wbca.org/awards/coach-of-the-year/ to see a list of past recipients of the WBCA NAIA Coach of the Year award. Visit https://wbca.org/player-awards/ to see lists of past WBCA NAIA Player of the Year and WBCA NAIA Coaches’ All-America honorees.
About the WBCA
The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women’s and girls’ basketball at all levels of competition. Founded in 1981, the WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
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