KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For the first time in school history, the University of Pikeville is sending its women's golf team to the national tournament.
 
The NAIA released the field for the 31^st annual Women's Golf National Championship, and the 12^th-ranked University of Pikeville team is heading to Ypsilanti, Mich., to compete in the tournament May 19-22.
 
The AAC and the Sun Conference were the only leagues in the country to qualify four teams for the championships.
 
"After the heartbreak of not making the tournament last season and getting so close, we decided then and there to get to work," said Coach Nelson Scott, whose team was the highest ranked club not to make the 2025 field.
 
"We ended up traveling to five different states and played in top-tier tournaments. That helped us achieve our highest ranking in school history."
 
Scott realizes the real key to this success – the student-athletes.
 
"This team has worked very hard for this moment, and I couldn't be more proud of the determination, dedication and time they have put into making this happen," he said. "This team has a special place in my heart and its one I will never forget."
 
The Bears have enjoyed a season that has seen senior Carly Crooks named first-team all-conference and senior Renee Crooks and sophomore Lauren Holmes named to the second team.
 
In addition, freshman Keira Howroyd was named the league's newcomer of the year.
 
UPike is one of four teams that will represent the AAC in the tournament. They're joined by SCAD-Atlanta, the automatic qualifier, and Milligan (Tenn.) University and Truett McConnell (Ga.) University, which also received at-large bids.
 
The 2026 women's golf national championship tournament will be played at Eagle Crest Golf Club.