Brynn Lusby is one of 11 players selected for the All-UAC Preseason Team, providing a solitary bright spot for a North Alabama squad that head coaches have slotted at the bottom of the newly formed United Athletic Conference. According to a report from North Alabama Athletics, Lusby, a transfer forward from Incarnate Word, is the only Lion to receive this preseason nod in a poll where the program was voted ninth out of nine teams.
This recognition arrives at a moment of reconstruction for the Lions. With first-year head coach Anna Nimz taking the helm, the roster has undergone an overhaul; only three players from the 2025-26 team—Brooke Hallman, Greta Ramon, and Venla Ulander—return to a squad that now includes nine new transfers. The stakes are high for Lusby, as she is tasked with anchoring an offense in a conference where Abilene Christian enters as the preseason favorites.
A solitary nod in a basement ranking
The preseason coaches poll paints a stark picture of the uphill battle facing North Alabama. While Abilene Christian claimed the top spot and the Player of the Year honors via Payton Hull, the Lions found themselves at the very bottom of the list. This isn't entirely new territory for the program, but it shows how difficult the transition into the UAC is.
Looking back at the Division I era since 2018, North Alabama’s preseason rankings have fluctuated. The program reached a peak in 2019-20 when they were tabbed third among nine ASUN teams. Since then, the trajectory has been inconsistent, with the Lions being ranked eighth, third, sixth, ninth, sixth, seventh, ninth, sixth, and now ninth.
Lusby’s inclusion on the All-UAC Preseason Team is a piece of individual validation. She is the sixth conference preseason selection for the program since 2018, joining a list that includes Skyler Gill, Olivia Noah, Brittany Panetti, and Ivy Wallen. It is the first time since Skyler Gill in 2022-23 that a Lion has been recognized in this capacity.
“We are thrilled for Brynn and this preseason recognition,” said first-year UNA head coach Anna Nimz. “Seeing her develop a true inside-out game gives our entire program a boost heading into the year, and we couldn’t be more excited for what this season holds for our group.”
Lusby brings scoring growth from Incarnate Word
Lusby arrives from San Antonio, Texas, where she played two seasons at Incarnate Word. Her resume is built on steady growth; she appeared in 62 games and earned nine starts, eventually climbing to become the second-leading scorer on her team during her sophomore year. Beyond the court, her academic discipline was recognized by the Southland Conference All-Academic Team.
When nine transfers join a roster where only three veterans remain, the early season often becomes an exercise in identity-building.
The question for North Alabama is whether nine newcomers can coalesce faster than teams like Abilene Christian or Eastern Kentucky.
The road to November 3
The UAC is crowded with established talent. To understand the mountain Lusby and the Lions must climb, one look at the preseason All-UAC team reveals the concentration of power. Abilene Christian dominated the voting with three selections—Payton Hull, Meredith Mayes, and Erin Woodson—while Central Arkansas and Eastern Kentucky each secured two spots.
| UAC Preseason Rank | School | All-Conference Selections |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abilene Christian | 3 |
| 2 | EKU | 2 |
| 3 | Central Arkansas | 2 |
| 4 | Austin Peay | 1 |
| 7 | Little Rock | 1 |
| 8 | West Georgia | 1 |
| 9 | North Alabama | 1 |
The Lions will have little time to shake off the rust of a reconstructed roster. Their first test in the UAC arrives on Tuesday, Nov. 3, against Mississippi State. The game tips off at 6:30 p.m. at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville. This opening matchup will serve as the first real evidence of whether the coaches’ ninth-place projection is a fair assessment or a missed opportunity for the Lions to surprise the league.
Whether Lusby can translate preseason hype into on-court production remains the central narrative for the season. If not, the Lions may find that a roster of newcomers is not enough to overcome the preseason rankings of the United Athletic Conference.
