CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On Thursday afternoon, the Big South Conference released its preseason players of the year and preseason poll. High Point University's Kari Powell was named Preseason Midfielder of the Year for the first time in her career. The Panthers are selected first overall in the Big South preseason poll which was voted on by the head coaches of all nine teams. 

#18 Kari Powell, Sr., Midfielder
Last season, Powell scored the game tying goal to force into extra time for the Big South Conference Championship which lead to HPU's victorius Championship win. She has been an essential asset to the Panthers, starting in all 20 games during her redshirt sophomore year. Powell collected her first goal of the season against Campbell University and clocked 1,534 minutes of playing time. She was named to the Big South All-Tournament Team and secured a spot on the CSC Academic All-District Team.

2026 Big South Preseason Women's Soccer Honors
Preseason Forward of the Year: Samantha Fisher, Longwood
Preseason Midfielder of the Year: Kari Powell, High Point
Preseason Defender of the Year: Caitlyn Nottingham, Radford
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year: Lexi Radvanyi, Radford

2026 Big South Preseason Women's Soccer Poll
1. High Point (7)
2. Radford (1)
3. Longwood
4. USC Upstate (1)
5. Charleston Southern
6. Winthrop
7. UNC Ashville
8. Gardner-Webb
9. Presbyterian College