Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs open up the 2025-26 season this weekend, traveling to UNC Pembroke for the Conference Challenge. Wingate will take on UNCP Friday at 5 p.m., then faces Francis Marion Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The 'Dogs will then welcome Mount Olive to town for the home opener Monday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. Wingate went 19-11 last season, with a 17-7 mark in league play. The Bulldogs captured the 2024 SAC Tournament title.

Wingate has nine returners and eight newcomers this season, with six freshmen and a pair of transfers. "This has been an interesting preseason, getting our newcomers to blend in with the returners," head coach Ann Hancock says. "Our newcomers have come in better prepared as a whole than some of the groups in the past. I think we will definitely get contributions from the transfers and the freshmen. We've added some good athleticism, and definitely have a more athletic group than some of our past teams."

The Bulldogs have solid leadership returning, led by preseason All-SAC honoree Laney Beale, along with SAC Player to Watch Kyleigh Bacon. "Laney sets the tone for us as a leader," Hancock says. "Kyleigh and Maggie Shorma have also stepped up as leaders, which has been encouraging to see. We have a good group of players with good talent, we're just excited to get the season started to figure out which player will fit best into which role, and who we can count on to step up in the big moments."

POINT GUARDS

The Bulldogs have multiple options at point guard, including senior Bethel Ekperigha, redshirt sophomore Kylie Chavis and freshmen Chi'Nya Isaac and Paula Carrillo.

Ekperigha played in 26 of 30 games last season, averaging 3.1 points and 1.2 rebounds per game while handing out 10 assists and piling up 15 steals. Chavis appeared in 22 contests, making one start while contributing 61 points, 38 rebounds and 13 assists.

"Bethel is a senior that brings lots of experience," Hancock says. "She has great speed and quickness, and has the ability to pressure the ball. She had a good preseason and was impressive in both of our preseason games. Kyle brings something different than the other three. She has a good basketball IQ and really understands what we're trying to do. She also has more size than the rest of the group. Chi'Nya also played well in both preseason games. She a bit of a combination of Bethel and Kylie. She sees the floor well, makes good decisions, can score the ball when it's the right play for her. The more experience she gets against college competition, the better she'll get. Paula is another option at point guard, but was limited in preseason action."

WINGS

Beale leads the group at the wing position. She averaged 10.4 points per game last year, earning all-conference accolades while adding 6.3 rebounds per contest. She handed out 99 assists on the season, while also piling up 48 steals, while shooting 49 percent from the field. The group also includes transfer Laura Montiel, along with freshmen Brayla Harris and Olivia Frankel, sophomore Bree Hughes and senior Kyndall Shivers.

"Laney is our leader," Hancock says. "She has expanded her role to look to score more than in the past. She has always been capable, but now we need her to score more. She finished last year really strong, was good at the SAC Tournament and she came in in great shape this year. She has really set the tone for us in building our culture." Laura plays as hard as anyone we've ever had. She loves to guard the ball and pressure people. She has relentless effort on the glass, and plays with a joy every time she's out there. I think she brings another dimension to the game and will allow us to do some things defensively we haven't in the past. She also pushes it offensively and gets to the rim effectively."

"Bree continues to play with tremendous effort on both ends of the floor," Hancock says. "She is another player that guards hard and crashes the glass, makes things happen with her effort. Brayla is long, athletic, and really plays hard on the defensive end. She can get to the rim when she wants to and gives us some options with her size on the perimeter. Olivia has the ability to shoot it from deep. She can stretch the defense, which makes it hard to double our posts. Kyndall gives us good depth on the wing. She is an outstanding deep-range shooter, she can stretch the defense against the zone."  

POSTS

The posts are led by Bacon, an All-SAC Freshman Team honoree last season. She played in all 30 games, making 27 starts while averaging 8.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game on 45 percent shooting from the field, adding 47 assists and 37 steals. She is joined by Shorma, sophomore Michela Jones, freshmen Addie Long and Anasia Harvey along with transfer Alex Merceron.

"Kyleigh has picked up where she left off from last year," Hancock says. "She has expanded her game to extend her range, shooting better from deep, and is finishing with both hands around the basket. She plays in the post but has a lot of perimeter-type skills. Maggie has come back as the most improved player in the preseason. I think she was frustrated not being able to play due to injury last year. She has really focused on strength and nutrition to get in great shape, she has worked so hard in the offseason and has extended her range as a three-point shooter. She can also get inside and withstand contact. She has really improved and come in ready to play."

"Addie is a strong, big-body low post player who is not afraid of contact," Hancock says. "She can also make a mid-range shot, gives us good depth at the post position. Anasia provides depth in the post. She has a real knack for shot blocking and offensive rebounding. She played really well in our exhibition at Davidson. She just has a no-fear mindset, she doesn't back down from the moment. We look for her to give us good minutes off the bench. Michela could probably play in the post or the wing. She is very athletic, aggressive, and is looking to score the ball when she gets it. She is also aggressive in our pressing defensive situations. Alex brings great experience and an offensive mindset. She can play facing the basket or back to the basket and has a knack for getting the ball in the basket. She has a great shooting touch, can drive it or shoot it effectively from deep. She is a really good option for us."