New Braunfels, Texas –
Mary Hardin-Baylor has been picked for the second year in a row to win the 2026 American Southwest Conference Women's Golf Championship, collecting 23 points and three first-place votes in a vote by the league's head coaches.
UMHB is led by 2024-25 ASC Coach of the Year Jackie Ralston, who has earned the honor three times during her time with the ASC. Ralston has won four ASC Championships, and coached the 2025 ASC Golfer of the Year in Izzy Crow.
The Crusaders are followed by UC Santa Cruz, who received one first-place vote and 19 total points in the 2026 Preseason Poll. Hardin-Simmons finished the vote with 14 points, followed by East Texas Baptist with 10, and Howard Payne close behind with 9 points and one first-place vote.
Nine golfers are have been picked as golfers to watch for the 2026 season, including five 2025 All-Conference selections.
2026 ASC Women’s Golf Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team (1st votes) |
Pts. |
2025 Championship Finish |
| 1. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor (3) |
23 |
1st |
| 2. |
UC Santa Cruz (1) |
19 |
2nd |
| 3. |
Hardin-Simmons |
14 |
5th |
| 4. |
East Texas Baptist |
10 |
3rd |
| 5. |
Howard Payne (1) |
9 |
|
2026 ASC Golfers to Watch
| Name |
Cl. |
Team |
Hometown |
| Kirsten Bridges* |
Gr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Blossom, TX |
| Madisyn Davis |
Fr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Tomball, TX |
| Emilee Garcia |
So. |
Howard Payne |
Uvalde, TX |
| Camryn Kiser* |
Jr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Seabrook, TX |
| Allison McGinnis* |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Los Fresnos, TX |
| Addison Payne |
Fr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Montgomery, TX |
| Samantha Shaw* |
So. |
UC Santa Cruz |
Long Beach, CA |
| Julia Sosa |
So. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Austin, TX |
| Adeline Truong* |
So. |
UC Santa Cruz |
Reno, NV |
2025 All-Conference *