DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia (UNG) athletic department capped another outstanding year of competition during the 2025-26 academic season, highlighted by conference championships, national honors and postseason success across multiple sports.
North Georgia claimed four Peach Belt Conference regular-season championships during the year, with men's soccer, women's soccer, baseball and softball each finishing atop the conference standings. The Nighthawks also secured a PBC Tournament Championship in softball.
On the national stage, North Georgia earned nine NCAA postseason appearances, with women's soccer, cross country, men's basketball, baseball, softball, men's tennis, women's tennis, men's golf and women's golf all advancing to NCAA competition.
The Nighthawks were represented by 50 All-Peach Belt Conference selections and 34 all-region honorees across the department. Six student-athletes earned All-America recognition, highlighting the program's continued success at the national level.
Women's golfer Mackenzie Connell captured an individual Peach Belt Conference championship, adding to an impressive season for North Georgia's championship-winning programs.
The success extended to the sidelines as four Nighthawk coaches were named Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year. Anel Lilic earned the honor in men's soccer, Kayley Ralton was recognized in women's soccer, Nolan Belcher received the award in baseball and Brooke O'Hair was named the conference's Coach of the Year in softball.
O'Hair and her staff also garnered regional recognition, earning Southeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year honors after leading the Nighthawks to another championship campaign.
North Georgia's future remains bright as two student-athletes were recognized as Peach Belt Conference Freshmen of the Year. Ahna Hicks earned the honor in cross country, while Olesya Stokusova was selected as the Women's Tennis Freshman of the Year.
Several Nighthawks earned top conference individual awards during the season. Alex Clark was named the Peach Belt Conference Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Year, while softball standouts Sydnee Reaves and Chloe Poss claimed Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year honors, respectively.
Reaves' remarkable season culminated with national recognition as she was selected National Player of the Year, becoming one of the most decorated student-athletes in program history.
The 2025-26 season further cemented North Georgia's standing as one of the premier athletic programs in NCAA Division II, combining competitive excellence, championship success and individual achievement across a broad spectrum of sports.
