Special to the Van Nuys News Press, Written by
The University of Alabama’s women’s wheelchair basketball team earned their sixth consecutive national title and 12th in program history Saturday at the National Wheelchair Basketball Association intercollegiate tournament in Tucson, Arizona. UA’s Joy Haizelden was also named the tournament MVP.
UA won 55-37 against the University of Texas at Arlington — the same team they’ve defeated the last three years to win the NWBA Intercollegiate National Championship.
“To be able to beat a great team like Texas-Arlington in the championship game just shows how special this team really is and has been all season,” said Head Coach Ryan Hynes. “UTA is a very talented team, and we had some extremely tight battles with them this year, including dropping two close games during the regular season.
The women ended the 2025-2026 season with a 24-3 record and 17-2 in conference play.
“This was honestly one of my most enjoyable seasons as a coach. This is a ridiculously special group. We have five graduating seniors who have set a standard of excellence that will be passed along to our returners and our new class coming in next season and beyond,” Hynes said. “They leave behind a legacy of greatness that will not be forgotten. This group exemplifies that when a team becomes a family, they can do some special things.”
Sophomore women’s wheelchair student-athlete Skylar Scarnecchia echoed that sentiment.
“To be able to carry the winning tradition is a lot, but so exciting. I have the biggest fire lit under me to continue this legacy that such a great group has begun,” she said. “I’m so proud of everyone, but the job is never finished. The group we have coming in and currently have is still so elite.”
Learn more about all the University’s Adapted Athletics teams.