Spring teams aim to maintain high standards

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) spring sports teams are gearing up for another season competing at the highest levels both in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) and nationally.

"Our spring programs have produced historic results year after year, and that standard doesn’t change in 2026," Athletic Director Mary Rob Plunkett said. "We are proud of the way our teams continue to elevate our department and strengthen our mission of being the nation's most competitive, value-added Division II athletics program."

Led by head coach Bryson Worley, the men's golf team is aiming to build off consecutive top-four NCAA Division II national finishes and a 2025 individual national title by Hunter Smith.

The UNG softball team, under second-year head coach Brooke O'Hair, will seek its fourth appearance in the eight-team NCAA championship in six years after reaching that benchmark in O'Hair's first season. UNG has won 11 consecutive PBC regular-season titles. The Nighthawks open the season with four games at the Gulf Shores Invitational in Gulf Shores, Alabama, from Jan. 31-Feb. 1. Their home opener is a 1 p.m. doubleheader Feb. 7 against Valdosta State.

Head coach Sierra Campbell's women's golf team looks to take the next step after its first NCAA regional appearance in program history in 2025.

Nolan Belcher takes over the UNG baseball program following the retirement of longtime head coach Tom Cantrell, who led the team to a fourth NCAA tournament appearance in 2025. The Belcher era begins with a three-game series at Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach, Florida, from Jan. 30-Feb. 1, before the 3 p.m. Feb. 3 home opener against rival Young Harris.

Belcher spent the previous five seasons as head coach at Georgia College, compiling a 142-108 record and leading the Bobcats to an NCAA Super Regional in 2024. He won national championships as a pitcher at the University of South Carolina in 2010 and 2011 and also played on the Gamecocks' 2012 national runner-up team.

Both tennis teams are coming off strong seasons, highlighted by the women's team reaching the Elite Eight. Kent Norsworthy, director of tennis and head women's coach, and Justin Miles, in his debut season as head men's coach, and their teams open the spring slate at 1 p.m. Jan. 31 in an exhibition match against Georgia Gwinnett at the UNG Tennis Complex at Yahoola Creek.

The track and field team, coached by Chris England, starts its season March 7 in the Victor Icebreaker Duals in Mount Berry, Georgia.