NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' Cowgirl basketball team has been selected as the favorite to win the American Southwest Conference championship in 2026-27, earning the top spot in the conference's preseason poll released Friday.
The Cowgirls received 71 points and 11 of the 12 first-place votes in the poll, which was voted on by ASC head coaches and sports information directors. Hardin-Simmons enters the season as the defending conference champion and returns key contributors from last year's squad.
Leading the way is junior
Jacqueline Berry, the reigning ASC Player of the Year. Berry headlines a talented returning group that also includes all-conference selection
MaeSyn Gay, as well as the former ASC Freshman of the Year
Avery Cathey, and two other ASC all-freshman team members in
Nilaya Gordon and
Tayley Bullen.
Hardin-Simmons had three players recognized on the Players to Watch list, with Berry, Gay and junior guard
Dylan Koele all earning preseason honors.
East Texas Baptist was selected second in the poll with 54 points after posting a 16-9 record last season. McMurry followed in third with 40 points and one first-place vote after finishing 18-9 in 2025-26.
Mary Hardin-Baylor was picked fourth with 36 points, while Howard Payne was close behind in fifth with 34 points. Schreiner rounded out the poll with 17 points.
The Cowgirls will look to build on last season's success as they pursue another ASC title and a return to NCAA Tournament play under head coach
Kendra Whitehead.
The first Cowgirl basketball game of the season is Nov. 7 at George Fox.
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