FOREST, Va. – Year two for head coach
Tim Krotish takes ahold, as the Averett University women's basketball team was voted to finish 11th in the 2026-27 preseason ballot, announced Tuesday.
ODAC tournament finalists and NCAA qualifiers in Randolph-Macon College took the top slot in the poll, with eight out of a possible 12 first-place votes. The Yellow Jackets also received a vote in the preseason D3hoops.com poll.
Shenandoah University were voted second, with three first-place votes. Washington and Lee University, of the heels of a 31-1 season with an ODAC title and NCAA quarterfinal appearance, took the third slot with the remaining first-place vote. The Generals are nationally the top-ranked team in the conference, at No. 23 in the D3hoops.com preseason ballot.
Batten University and Bridgewater College are fourth and fifth, respectively.
The Cougars, in Krotish's second season, return two key starters in sophomore guard
Lily Strittmatter and junior guard/forward
DaiShaundria Giggetts, who made the All-ODAC third team last season. Giggetts played like an all-star, as she led Averett in points per game, rebounds per game, and steals with 13.9, 6.0, and 2.6, respectively. Amongst the ODAC elites, Giggetts ranked second in both steals and steals per game with 63 and 2.6.
Krotish also brings in a key group of incoming freshman and transfers, highlighted by junior forward
Nicole Hester. Coming from Salem College (N.C.), Hester was an Honorable Mention All-Conference in the USA South in 2024-25, then averaged a double-double with 11.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game last season.
The Cougars begin 2026-27 away from home, opening in Virginia Beach versus Regent University on Saturday, Nov. 7. Averett's home opener comes versus Methodist University on Friday, Nov. 13.
2026-27 ODAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Institution (1st-Place Votes) |
Pts. |
| 1. |
Randolph-Macon (8) |
117 |
| 2. |
Shenandoah (3) |
107 |
| 3. |
Washington and Lee (1)^ |
103 |
| 4. |
Batten |
86 |
| 5. |
Bridgewater |
81 |
| 6. |
Hollins |
73 |
| 7. |
Guilford |
58 |
| 8. |
Roanoke |
56 |
| 9. |
Lynchburg |
44 |
| 10. |
Randolph |
29 |
| 11. |
Averett |
23 |
| 12. |
Eastern Mennonite |
15 |
^Defending champion
