MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - The Berry College women's basketball team have been picked to finish 3rd in the SAA Preseason poll.
The Vikings return Briaiah Lewis, the reigning SAA Newcomer of the Year, alongside All-SAA honoree Elly Callihan. The Vikings also return a lot of their roster from last season and will welcome four freshman to the team as well.
The Trinity Tigers have been selected as the 25-26 preseason favorite for the Southern Athletic Association (SAA).
The Tigers earned 52 points with four first place votes, followed by reigning SAA Champion at No. 2 Centre with 46 points and two first place nods. Tied for third is Berry and Millsaps. The Majors earned one first place vote and Oglethorpe rounded out the top five with 36 points.
Voting was conducted among the SAA's eight head coaches.
 2025-26 WBB PRESEASON POLL RESULTS
1. Trinity - 52 (4)
2. Centre - 46 (2)
T3. Berry - 37
T3. Millsaps - 37 (1)
5. Oglethorpe 36
T6. Rhodes - 26 (1)
T6. Sewanee - 26
8. Southwestern - 20
In their first year with the SAA, Trinity enters the conference after an impressive run to the SCAC Championship game last season, finishing with a 10-6 conference record. The Tigers return a talented core led by three-time All-SCAC and All-Tournament Team selection Josie Napoli, along with two-time All-SCAC standouts Kylie Minter and Bailey Timmons.
Centre made history last season, upsetting Millsaps in the SAA Tournament to capture its first-ever tournament championship. The Colonels field a young roster this year with no seniors but feature key returners in All-SAA performers Lilly Reid and Ka'Niah Edelen.
Tied for third in the preseason poll are Berry and Millsaps. Millsaps, under new head coach Jeff Wilbur, looks to build on last season's success behind senior Elyse Warren, an All-SAA selection, and Garin Freeman, the reigning SAA Defensive Player of the Year.
The 2025-26 season tips off on Friday, November 7, with a few programs hitting the court early. By Sunday, November 9, all teams will have opened their campaigns.
The 2026 SAA Women's Basketball Tournament is set for February 26–28 in Mount Berry, Georgia, hosted by Berry College.
SAA Women's Basketball Regular Season Champions
2024-25 - Millsaps (12-2)
2023-24 - Millsaps (12-2)
2022-23 – Centre (12-2)
2021-22 – Rhodes (12-0
2020-21 – Millsaps (10-1)*Covid altered season
2019-20 – Oglethorpe (14-0)
2018-19 – Millsaps (12-2)
2017-18 – Oglethorpe (11-3)
2016-17 – Birmingham-Southern (10-4)
2015-16 – Birmingham-Southern/Millsaps (11-3)Â
2014-15 – Millsaps (12-2)
2013-14 – Rhodes (13-1)
2012-13 – Centre/Millsaps/Rhodes
