Women's Basketball

2025-26 USA South Women's Basketball Awards Announced

The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its 2025-26 All-Conference awards for women's basketball. Individually, Southern Virginia's Abigail Snyder was named Player of the Year while William Peace's Ensley Perry collected Rookie of the Year honors. Continuing with the individual honors, Brevard's Kayden Johnson was named Defensive Player of the Year while her coach, Donald Hudson, earned Coach of the Year. Additionally, the USA South recognized an All-Sportsmanship Team, consisting of one member from each competing school who their coach felt displayed the best sportsmanship this season.

All awards are voted on by the women's basketball coach at each institution.

Snyder, a senior guard from Rocky Ford, Colorado becomes the first Southern Virginia women's basketball student-athlete to be named USA South Player of the Year. Snyder led the Conference in scoring during the regular season, averaging 19.2 points per game to go along with 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.4 steals. Against USA South foes, Snyder upped her scoring average to a USA South-high 19.2 points per contest while knocking down a League-best 41% of her three-point shots. Snyder was named a First Team All-Conference performer for the third consecutive season while also taking home USA South Player of the Week honors six times this winter.

Perry, a freshman guard from Knoxville, Tennessee, becomes the first William Peace women's basketball student-athlete to be named USA South Rookie of the Year. During the regular season, Perry averaged 12.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Her scoring average rose against USA South opposition to 13.0 points per game to go along with averaging 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per contest. For her efforts this winter, Perry collected USA South Rookie of the Week accolades six times.

Johnson, a sophomore forward Statesville, North Carolina, becomes the first Brevard women's basketball student-athlete to be named USA South Defensive Player of the Year. During regular season play, Johnson led the Conference with 37 blocked shots, good for an average of 1.3 per contest. She also added 11.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. In Conference play, Johnson again led the way in rejections with 32 total, good for a 1.8 blocks per game average. For her efforts this season, Johnson was named All-Conference Second Team while also picking up one USA South Player of the Week accolade.

Hudson, in his tenth year as Brevard's head coach, is the first coach in Brevard women's basketball history to be named USA South Coach of the Year. After being predicted to finish second in the standings in the preseason coaches poll, the Tornados did one better, capturing a share of the program's first regular season League crown. Brevard won its final seven Conference contests to end the regular season with a 16-2 USA South record, the program's best mark since joining the League in 2017-18. Overall, the Tornados amassed a 21-4 record during regular season play which is the most wins since Brevard joined the NCAA in 2007-08.
 

Player of the Year Rookie of the Year Defensive Player of the Year Coach of the Year
9533
Abigail Snyder
Southern Virginia
9532
Ensley Perry
William Peace
9512
Kayden Johnson
Brevard
9678
Donald Hudson
Brevard

The 2025-26 USA South Women's Basketball All-Conference Team:
 
First Team Second Team Honorable Mention
Ava Hairston, Pfeiffer
Anaya Hall, N.C. Wesleyan
Olivia Miller, Brevard
Maria Savvun, Southern Virginia
Abigail Snyder, Southern Virginia
Zikira Henderson, William Peace
Miya Horton, Pfeiffer
Kayden Johnson, Brevard
Anna Kimball, Southern Virginia
Jada Petty-Wilkins, Brevard
Aysia Foster, Southern Virginia
Dorinda Jordan, N.C. Wesleyan
Analee Morris, Brevard
 
 
All-Sportsmanship
Kennedie Noble, Brevard
Tatum Bradford, Greensboro
Reese Brock, Mary Baldwin
Emme Baber, Meredith
Jehari Jacobs, Methodist
Kieara Hughes, N.C. Wesleyan
Kaileigh Gunter, Pfeiffer
Catherine Jordan Cano, Salem
Ruth Kempler, Southern Virginia
Bre Oliver, William Peace