East Tennessee State University

In her first season on ETSU's coaching staff, Daniela Rivera helped the Buccaneers go 16-8 overall and 6-1 in conference play. The Bucs were nationally ranked in 2026 and picked up victories over Virginia Tech and nationally ranked opponents in Liberty and Furman. Overall, four of the six Bucs on the roster earned All-SoCon recognition for their play all season long. Rivera helped ETSU upset top-seeded Furman in the Southern Conference Tournament Championship that lifted the Bucs to their third NCAA Tournament appearance in the past four seasons.