Pikeville Favored to Win 2025-26 Women's Basketball Championship

WALESKA, Ga. - Pikeville is the favorite to win the 2025-26 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women's Basketball Championship, according to the AAC Coaches' Preseason Poll released Tuesday.

The women's basketball coaches of the AAC voted on the poll.

Pikeville received six first-place votes for a total of 172 points. After finishing tied for third in the regular season last year with a 17-5 conference mark, Pikeville advanced to the semifinal round of the AAC Tournament.

Milligan is close behind in second with four first-place votes and 166 points. Milligan shared the 2024-25 AAC regular-season championship with Johnson as both finished with a 19-3 conference record. Milligan won the AAC Tournament and advanced to the NAIA National Championship Tournament, making it to the round of 32.

Johnson is third in the poll, having received two first-place votes and 155 points, with Reinhardt fourth at 140 points and Bryan fifth with 127 points and one first-place vote.

The top 10 teams in the conference will advance to the 2024 AAC Tournament, which is set for Feb. 25-28 in Kingsport, Tenn.

The 2025-26 AAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
Team - Total Points (1st-Place Votes)