Photo by Jordan France
By Connor Ballou
The 2025-2026 William Peace women’s basketball team will look to rebound off a 4-21 overall record and a 3-13 conference record last year. Coach Annalee Bollinger will be at the helm of the Pacers entering her second year as head coach. The Pacers will feature 5 returning players, 10 incoming freshmen and 3 transfers.
Coach Bollinger highlights the team’s key parts to success this year.
“I think the development piece is one of the most important things we need to improve on this year,” said Bollinger. “I have no doubt this team will work hard but we have to do a good job of developing the skill sets and then getting the girls in position for it to translate.”
Although she only played in four games in her freshman season, Jessica Worthey, the Charlotte native, led the Pacers in scoring last year, averaging 12.3 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Freshman guard Zikira Henderson started all 25 games in her first year. She averaged 11.2 points per game including a 35 point performance against Brevard.
The program is being built up with a high quality foundation and leadership.
“The culture we are trying to build at Peace is one that our community, campus, supporters and families can be proud of,” said Coach Bollinger. “We want to give back, do things the right way, work extremely hard, and have a blast while doing it.”
The coaching staff is positive and ready to hit the ground running this year with hard work and discipline.
“I’m most excited to watch this team go out and compete every single day. They are an incredible group of young women who are about the right things on and off the floor,” said Coach Bollinger. “Getting to watch them progress as the season gets underway will be one of the more rewarding experiences of my career thus far.”
With a lot of new faces coming in, the Pacers will look to build off of last year’s successes in Coach Bellinger’s second season.