DECATUR, Ga. - Agnes Scott looks to kick off their 2025-26 campaign in basketball this weekend, as they host the Agnes Scott Tipoff Classic, featuring exceptional women's colleges from around the Southeast. The Scotties, who a year ago finished the season with a 3-22 mark, incluidng a 2-14 record in conference play, will begin their season on Saturday, November 8, as they host Hollins University.
The Tipoff Classic begins on Friday as the two visiting programs, Hollins and Brenau (Ga.), meet up for 6:00 p.m. contest at Woodruff Gymnasium on the campus of Agnes Scott. Following Saturday's contest with Hollins, the Scotties will finish off the tournament on Sunday with a matchup against Brenau at 2:00 p.m.
In the preseason coaches poll, released by the Collegiate Conference of the South office this week, the Scotties were picked to repeat in 8th place, picking up 17 votes in the process. Piedmont College and Asbury were in a virtual tie for first place with 61 and 60 votes, respectively. A season ago, the Scotties swept 9th-place Wesleyan, as well as having close losses to LaGrange and Huntingdon. The goal for the Scotties will be to finish in the Top Six, assuring them of a postseason spot.
The Scotties will look to a group of sophomores to help lead things, as they return five sophomores who each saw significant playing time a year ago. They are led by CCS All-Conference 2nd Team selection,
Anissa Brailsford. Brailsford led the Scotties in rebounding with 8.2 boards per contest, and in points, averaging 11.6 per game. Other top returners from the sophomore class include
Alex McElroy (8.7 ppg),
Ryley Jolly (6.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg), along with two-sport athletes
Jonah Wood (soccer) and
Sarah Fedrick (volleyball).
Newcomers will also help the Scotties improve upon last season, as head coach
Kyle Erha brings in 7 new faces to assist the effort. Freshmen this season include
Cybele Forbes, who played for a Buford High School program that finished in first place in their region every year during her career.
Ava Hendrie will add depth to the Scotties long-range shooting efforts, and the trio of
Triniti Walker,
Kaycie Hyde, and junor
Lexxi Romero-Williams will all help with ball handling duties for the Scotties. Two-sport star
Abi Pollett (soccer) will look to add versatility, being able to switch from guard to forward fluidly. The final newcomer is graduate student
Damaris Gaines, who joins the Scotties after a successful soccer career as an undergrad at Virginia State.
Demetri Wheeler returns on the bench to assist Coach Erha, as does
Lindsay Moore, who finished her eligibility with the Scotties in 2025. All home games will be broadcast live on the Scotties' website, as well as live stats. Home games are free to the public.
