BOONE, N.C. - The App State women's basketball team announced its promotional schedule for its 15 home games this winter.
The Mountaineers will open the season on Nov. 3 against Western Michigan for the first installment of the 2025-26 MAC-SBC Challenge. The home opener will also be SYC night and will feature free pizza for students while supplies last. November's slate of home games will feature Heroes Night & Camp Out at Holmes on Nov. 12 against Davidson, Sunday Funday on Nov. 16 vs. Wofford, and Education Day on Nov. 25 against Norfolk State.
On Jan. 10, the Mountaineers' conference matchup against Southern Miss will feature Basketball Bingo. Luau Night is set for Jan. 29 as the Mountaineers host South Alabama. The Mountaineers will celebrate National Girls & Women in Sport Day on Jan. 31.
The Mountaineers' Feb. 14 game against Georgia State will be Alumni Day and Pink Day. Fans are encouraged to to wear black for App State's Feb. 25 game against Georgia Southern, which will also be Stroll Night. Capping the regular season on Feb. 27 with a clash against Old Dominion, the Mountaineers will recognize their graduating seniors on Senior Night.
Head Coach
Alaura Sharp enters her second season at the helm of the program. In her first season in the High Country, Sharp guided the Mountaineers to their best Sun Belt start in program history with a 9-3 record from Dec. 29 to Feb. 5. Over the course of the 2024-25 campaign, the Mountaineers recorded a pair of four-game win-streaks from Dec. 21 to Jan. 4 and Jan. 18 to Jan. 30.
Returning for their senior seasons are
Emily Hege and
Elena Pericic, alongside graduate student Zoë McCrary. Pericic was tabbed to the 2025-26 Preseason Sun Belt All-Conference Third Team. Last winter, Pericic appeared in all 30 games and made 28 starts. She shot 42.3% from the arc, 42.1% from the field and 75.0% from the charity stripe. Additionally, she averaged 8.3 points per game, scoring double-figures in 13 games, and grabbed 4.5 rebounds per contest. Hege returns to the court after appearing in 30 games last year and making 22 starts. She netted double-figures in six games for the Mountaineers including a season and team high 14 points, shooting 83.3% from the field and 75% from the arc on Jan. 25 against Georgia Southern. McCrary appeared in three games, making a pair of starts last year. She grabbed a season high 12 rebounds and made two blocks against UNCG on Nov. 16.
Joining the returning trio are nine newcomers. Guard
Jada Burton, who spent time at Dodge City and Western Carolina during her undergraduate career, continues her career in the High Country as a graduate student. While at Dodge City, she set the program record in career assists (288) and remains among the program's top 10 in career steals. While at Western Carolina, she eclipsed 1,000 career points and climbed to 27th in the NCAA in assists per game (43rd in total assists). Joining the Mountaineers' senior class as a guard is Denver transfer
Emma Smith. During her time at Denver, Smith netted 1,066 career points and averaged 12.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. She was also a two-time Summit League All-Honorable Mention.
Riverside, Calif. native
Daisia Mitchell and Dénia, Spain native
Marta Gutierrez join the team as junior guards. Mitchell made stops at St. Mary's (SMC) and Mt. SAC before finding her way to Boone. As team captain at Mt. SAC, she led the team to a 3C2A state title and was named the 2025 3C2A Tournament MVP. Collecting various accolades, Mitchell averaged 17.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Gutierrez joins the Mountaineers after stints at Ranger and Vincennes. Last season, she collected NJCAA DI All-Region accolades after helping Vincennes to a Region 24 semifinal appearance. She averaged 11.3 points, 5.5. Rebounds, and 4.2 assists per contest.
Mersin, Tükiye native
Feryal Defne Atli comes to App State as a sophomore forward and sophomore
Jayden McBride joins the team as a guard. Atli spent her freshman season at West Virginia and has several years of experience playing for the Türkiye National Team. She was the youngest player to be called up to the 2024 U20 Turkish National Team at 17 years old and was the captain of the U18 team. McBride joins the Mountaineers after a season at Georgetown, where she made 12 starts and appeared in 24 games. She netted a season high 18 points on Nov. 17 against Boston and averaged 4.5 points per contest. App State's freshman class is composed of forward
Addie Biel and guards
Isa Roman and
Riley Stoker.
Fans can secure their 2025-26 App State Women's Basketball season tickets now at
appstatesports.com/tickets. Single game tickets are also available for purchase. Secure your tickets today.
2025-26 Promotional Schedule
Nov. 3 vs. Western Michigan: MAC-SBC Challenge | SYC Night (Free pizza for students while supplies last)
Nov. 7 vs. Bob Jones
Nov. 12 vs. Davidson: Heroes Night | Camp Out at Holmes
Nov. 16 vs. Wofford: Sunday Funday
Nov. 25 vs. Norfolk State: Education Day
Dec. 29 vs. Carolina University
Jan. 3 vs. Marshall
Jan. 7 vs. Coastal Carolina
Jan. 10 vs. Southern Miss: Basketball Bingo
Jan. 29 vs. South Alabama: Luau Night
Jan. 31 vs. ULM: National Girls & Women In Sport Day (NGWSD)
Feb. 11 vs. JMU
Feb. 14 vs. Georgia State: Alumni Night | Pink Day
Feb. 25 vs. Georgia Southern: Black Out | Stroll Night
Feb. 27 vs. Old Dominion: Senior Night
