New Albany, Ind. - The 2025-26 academic year was one of remarkable successes for IU Southeast Athletics, highlighted by three conference championships and multiple postseason appearances.
"The athletic department is extremely proud of the accomplishments of all our programs during the 2025-26 season. IUS is fortunate to have coaches who are committed to the athletic and academic success of their student athletes," said Athletic Director Tod Bannister.
Here is a brief recap of the 2025-26 year for Grenadier athletics.
Baseball
The baseball program enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in school history, advancing to the NAIA World Series for the third time in the last six years. The Grenadiers achieved their highest-ever World Series finish, placing fifth nationally.
The Grenadiers finished the season with a 44-16 overall record, their highest win total since 2021, while capturing both the River States Conference Regular Season Championship and Tournament Championship.
Brendan Whalen, Trevor Goodwin, Bryson Arnette, Caden Lockwood, and Coulter Hamilton were named First Team All-Conference. Gabe Yonto earned Second Team honors, while Weston Harvey was selected to the Third Team. In his first season leading the program, Head Coach Vincent Tornincasa was named River States Conference Coach of the Year.
Softball
Softball captured the River States Conference Tournament Championship, earning the program's first tournament title since 2019 and advancing to the opening round of the NAIA National Tournament.
Emma Davis, Sofia Guy, and Josie Lemmons earned First Team All-Conference honors, while Lillian Mackey and McKenzie Walters were named to the Second Team. Ava Allen earned Third Team recognition.
Men's Basketball
The men's basketball program qualified for the NAIA National Tournament for the second consecutive season and the third time in four years. The Grenadiers clinched a spot in the postseason after knocking off the RSC's top two seeds on the road en route to a Conference Tournament Championship.
Trent Hinkle and Nathaniel Hoffman earned First Team All-RSC honors, while Jaden Johnson was named Third Team All-RSC.
Women's Basketball
In her first season as head coach, Abby Downard guided the women's basketball program to a 17-13 overall record and 12-4 record in conference play. The Grenadiers earned their first RSC Tournament victory since the 2019-20 season with a thrilling overtime win against Midway.
Jesse Ledgerwood earned First Team All-Conference honors, while Linzie Wernert and Grace Stapleton were named to the Second Team. Morgan Roberts received Third Team recognition.
Volleyball
Under first-year Head Coach Taylor Wilson-Evanczysk, the volleyball program made significant strides, finishing with a 19-13 overall record—an eight-win improvement from the previous season.
Ella Brooks and Haley Jaster were selected to the RSC's First Team; Carly Mason and Madison Ramsey earned Second Team recognition, and Ella Davidson was named to the Third Team.
Women's Tennis
Head Coach Clif Winchel was named River States Conference Women's Tennis Coach of the Year after the team finished third in the River States Conference standings. Libby Banet, Kate Halbig, and Maci Vaughn earned Second Team All-Conference honors.
Men's Golf
The Grenadiers placed second in their first-ever tournament at the Alice Lloyd Maggie Mountain Invitational and followed with another runner-up finish at the Alice Lloyd Eagle Invitational, where Westin Allen tied for first individually. Westin Allen All-Conference honors alongside Rossi Hamilton.
Men's Tennis
Men's tennis opened the season with victories in two of its first three matches. Trey Gutgsell was named Second Team All-Conference, while Paxton Evitts earned Third Team honors.
Women's Golf
Women's golf was led by outstanding performances from Rachael Shaffer and Emma Rowland throughout the season. Rowland was named First Team All-Conference and River States Conference Newcomer of the Year, while Shaffer earned Third Team All-Conference honors.
