ARLINGTON, Texas (October 28, 2026) – The newly formed United Athletic Conference revealed its preseason rankings Wednesday, as the head coaches voted North Alabama ninth out of nine teams with one newcomer voted to preseason all-conference.
 
Transfer forward Brynn Lusby was named to the All-UAC Preseason Team — one of 11 players to receive the nod. Three players from Abilene Christian, the preseason favorites, were chosen including UAC Preseason Player of the Year in Payton Hull.
 
Central Arkansas and Eastern Kentucky both had two selections while Austin Peay, West Georgia and Little Rock each had one alongside North Alabama.
 
"We are thrilled for Brynn and this preseason recognition," said first-year UNA head coach Anna Nimz. "Seeing her develop a true inside-out game gives our entire program a boost heading into the year, and we couldn't be more excited for what this season holds for our group."
 
Alongside the coaches poll rankings being released, the Lions were awarded their first preseason conference selection since Skyler Gill in 2022-23. Lusby was the sixth conference preseason selection since 2018 joining Gill, Olivia Noah, Brittany Panetti and Ivy Wallen on two separate occasions.
 
Lusby, a first-year transfer from Incarnate Word, appeared in 62 total games with nine starts during her two seasons in San Antonio, Texas. She finished second in scoring on the team during her sophomore campaign and was selected to the Southland Conference All-Academic Team during her time.
 
Lusby is one of nine transfers to join the team this off-season for Nimz's first season. Only three players from the 2025-26 team return in Brooke Hallman, Greta Ramon and Venla Ulander who helped pushed the Lions to the second round of the ASUN Postseason Tournament.
 
The ninth-place selection was a vote based on the head coaches from conference schools which combine of UT Arlington, EKU, Little Rock, Abilene Christian, Tarleton State, Central Arkansas, Austin Peay and West Georgia.
 
During the Division I era, the Lions have been chosen eighth, third, sixth, ninth, sixth, seventh, ninth, sixth and now ninth, respectively, since 2018. The highest preseason ranking came ahead of the 2019-20 season where the Lions were tabbed third amongst the then-nine ASUN teams.
 
North Alabama begins its first season in the UAC on Tuesday, Nov. 3 against Mississippi State in Starkville, Tenn. at Humphrey Coliseum at 6:30 p.m.
 
2026 UAC Preseason Awards
 
Preseason Player of the Year: Payton Hull, Abilene Christian
 
Preseason All-UAC Team
Payton Hull, Abilene Christian
Meredith Mayes, Abilene Christian
Erin Woodson, Abilene Christian
Jim'Miyah Branton, Austin Peay
Tiani Ellison, Central Arkansas
Cheyanne Kemp, Central Arkansas
Liz Freihofer, EKU
Kirsten Lewis-Williams, EKU
Mya Cotto, Little Rock
Brynn Lusby, North Alabama
Sydne Tolbert, West Georgia
 
Preseason UAC Coaches Poll
1. Abilene Christian
2. EKU
3. Central Arkansas
4. Austin Peay
5. UT Arlington
6. Tarleton State
7. Little Rock
8. West Georgia
9. North Alabama
 
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