SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference women's basketball preseason honors were announced today as the Terriers were selected second by the league's nine head coaches. Senior guard Maddie Heiss and sophomore guard Gabby Mundy earned preseason all-conference honors. Gabby Mundy was also tabbed as the SoCon Preseason Player of the Year.
"We're excited and certainly appreciative of the recognition from the coaches in our league. Being picked second is a compliment to our program, and we're especially proud of Gabby and Maddie for being recognized individually," said the Ashley Richardson Allen Head Women's Basketball Coach Jimmy Garrity. "Our team has worked extremely hard, and we really like the chemistry, leadership and enthusiasm this group brings. Now our job is to continue building our team and focus on the things within our control. We appreciate the recognition, but we're excited to get the season here and see what this group can accomplish together."
Heiss picks up the preseason nod after starting in all 29 games last season. She was third amongst her teammates with 334 points, averaging 11.5 points per game. The Dallas, Texas, native finished second in the nation with a 91.7 free throw percentage, making 46 free throws consecutively during the season. She was named to the 2025-26 SoCon All-Academic Honor Roll last season.
Sophomore Gabby Mundy picks up an All-Conference spot and Preseason Player of the Year award after being selected as the 2025-26 SoCon Freshman of the Year. She was also selected to the SoCon All-Freshman Team and the All-SoCon First Team last season. The Liberty Hill, Texas, native started all 29 games for the Terriers and was third in the SoCon in points, ending the season with 436 points (15ppg). She led the Terriers in points, assists, steals, and shots beyond the arc, and recorded 16 consecutive games with double digit points. Mundy was named SoCon Player of the Week twice in her rookie season and received a SoCon Academic Honor Roll nod.
"Gabby being selected as the Preseason Player of the Year and Maddie being named Preseason All-SoCon are great honors and something they have earned through a lot of hard work," said Garrity.
The Terriers will open the 2026-27 season on Monday, November 2, in Raleigh, N.C. against the N.C. State University Wolfpack. Southern Conference action will begin with a road trip to preseason-favorite Furman on Saturday, January 2.
Team (1st-place votes) Total
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Furman (3) 56
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Wofford (2) 54
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Samford (2) 50
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ETSU (1) 44
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Chattanooga (1) 40
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Tennessee Tech 28
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Mercer 27
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UNCG 17
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Western Carolina 8
2026-27 Preseason Southern Conference Player of the Year
Gabby Mundy, So., G, Wofford
2026-27 Preseason All-SoCon Team
Daniela López, Sr., G, ETSU
Carmen Richardson, Jr., G, ETSU
Clare Coyle, Jr., F, Furman
Alyssa Ervin, Jr., G, Furman
Francie Morris, So., G, Samford
Briana Rivera, Jr., G, Samford
Kaylee Yarbrough, So., G, Samford
LaReesha Cawthorn, So., F, Tennessee Tech
Maddie Heiss, Sr., G, Wofford
Gabby Mundy, So., G, Wofford
