NORFOLK, Virginia — In the lead up to the 2026 MEAC Tournament, four University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's basketball players have been selected for regular season MEAC honors. 

Ashanti Lynch, Briann Barnes, Desi Taylor and Kaliya Perry each heard their names called at the MEAC Basketball Tournament Awards ceremony for their regular season performances. 

Both Taylor and Perry were both named as selections to the All-MEAC Rookie Team. 

In Taylor's first year at UMES, the freshman guard scored 150 total points (4.8 average) while shooting 39.4% from beyond the arc with 39 made threes. She made her impact across all 31 games in the season for the Hawks while adding 36 assists, 19 steals and 32 rebounds. 

Through her freshman year, Taylor was earned one MEAC Rookie of the Week honor. 

In her Perry's freshman year at UMES, the Hawks' forward scored 171 total points (6.8 average) and pulled down 133 rebounds (5.3 avg). She started 11 games while playing in 25 for the Hawks while adding 22 assists, 21 steals and 25 blocks. 

Through her freshman year, Perry was named the MEAC Rookie of the Week three times. 

Lynch earned double honors as she was selected to the All-MEAC Defensive Team and the All-MEAC First Team. 
 
In her final year at UMES, Lynch scored 392 total points (12.6 average) while pulling down 173 total rebounds (5.6 average). She played in all 31 games for the Hawks, starting 28 while adding 46 assists and 57 steals. 
 
Through the year, the Preseason 2nd Team All-MEAC selection earned MEAC Player of the Week twice and earning MEAC Defensive Player of the Week once. 
 
Barnes was named the recipient of one of the top individual awards as she was named the MEAC Sixth Player of the Year. 

In Barnes' final year at UMES, the Hawks' senior scored 309 total points (10.0 average) while pulling down 127 total rebounds (4.1 average). She played in all 31 games for the Hawks, starting 14 while adding 38 assists and 52 steals. 

The Hawks enter the 2026 MEAC Homecoming Tournament as the No. 2 seed and will face Delaware State Wednesday, March 11, at 2 p.m. at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.

The full MEAC Awards

Player of the Year: Zennia Thomas, Howard 
Rookie of the Year: Ariella Henigan, HOW 
Defensive Player of the Year: Jasha Clinton, NSU   
Newcomer of the Year: Khila Morris, CSU 
Sixth Player of the Year: Brianna Barnes, UMES 
Coach of the Year: Ty Grace, Howard 

First Team All-MEAC  
Zennia Thomas, HOW 
Da'Brya Clark, NSU 
Khila Morris, CSU 
Ashanti Lynch, UMES 
Zoe Stewart, HOW 

Second Team All-MEAC  
Jasha Clinton, NSU 
Anjanae Richardson, NSU 
Aniya Finger, NCCU 
Morgan Callahan, NCCU 
Nile Miller, HOW 

All-Rookie Team   
Amya Scott, DSU  
Kaliya Perry, UMES 
Ariella Henigan, HOW  
Desi Taylor, UMES 
Liliana Harrison, DSU   

All-Defensive Team   
Zennia Thomas, HOW 
Jasha Clinton, NSU 
Nile Miller, HOW 
Ashanti Lynch, UMES 
Da'Brya Clark, NSU