Haynes makes WHAC All-Defensive Team among 2025-26 All-Conference Awards

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference announced its 2025-26 All-Conference Women's Basketball Awards on Thursday with Defiance College garnering recognition for on-court and classroom achievements.

Sophomore guard Taylor Haynes (Cleveland, Ohio/Lutheran) earned a spot on the WHAC's All-Defensive Team and was one of four Jackets named Academic All-Conference. Haynes was a key contributor behind DC's conference-best 19.9 turnovers forced per game and 12 steals per game. She averaged 3.4 steals per game for a total of 78, which was tied for the second-best total in the conference and one steal shy of 10th-most for a season in program history. Haynes was also second on the team in rebounds per game (5.2) and scoring (9.6).

The WHAC's All-Academic Team is composed of student-athletes with sophomore academic standing or above, attending their current school for one full year, and carrying a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better. Ali Mowen (Eaton, Ohio/Eaton) earned her third straight Academic All-Conference nod in women's basketball while Mone'a McElroy (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville) was honored for the second straight year. Sophomores Haynes and Jourdyn Wynn (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central) earned their first academic all-conference nods.

DC's representative on the WHAC's Champions of Character Team was freshman guard Azariah Smith (Nassau, Bahamas/IMG Academy) as an exemplary model of the NAIA's five core character values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.

To view the entire list of WHAC All-Conference Award winners, click here.

-JACKETS-