Denison University

Taute and Cooch Named All-Americans, Coach Hirt named WBCA Coach of the Year Finalist

3/23/2026 11:49:00 AM

Atlanta, Ga. (March 10, 2026)- Earlier this month, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and most recently D3hoops.com announced this season's Division III award winners and finalists. Juniors Ada Taute and Abby Cooch along with Head Coach Maureen Hirt received major honors, as Taute was named a First Team All-American by the WBCA along with Second Team from D3hoops.com. Cooch was named Honorable Mention, while Coach Hirt was recognized as a Coach of the Year Finalist. The Big Red finished the season going 30-2 with a dominant run to the NCAA Tournament National Championship, where they were crowned after a 55-41 win over the University of Scranton.

Junior Ada Taute was named a 2026 WBCA Division III Coaches' All-American, making her one of ten players across the nation to be recognized for her efforts this season. Taute finished the regular season averaging 13.4 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, led the team in steals (59), and was second on the team in assists (87). She was named to the All-NCAC first team and, since the start of the NCAA tournament, has increased her average to 15.6 points, shot 42.7% from the field and 39.1% from behind the arc, and averaged 7.8 rebounds per game.

Earning honorable mention for her performance this year was fellow junior Abby Cooch. Cooch also finished the regular season as an All-NCAC first-team honoree. She finished the regular season leading the team in assists with 99, and was second on the team in total points with 323. During the NCAA championship run, Cooch averaged 5.6 rebounds per game, shooting .917 from the free-throw line, averaged 14.8 points per game, and scored her 1,000th point during the second round of the NCAA tournament.

The duo also earned NCAA All-Tournament honors, with Cooch being named the MVP of the tournament after scoring in double figures in every tournament game and notching a team-high 18 points in the championship.

Head Coach Maureen Hirt was named a WBCA NCAA Division III Coach of the Year Finalist after wielding her team to numerous firsts in program history. Hirt took the Big Red to their first ever Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and National Championship appearance, and won the first national championship in program history after defeating previously undefeated Scranton 55-41 in the championship. The Big Red also eclipsed the most wins in program history in a season, winning 30 and beating the previous mark set in 2010-11 (28-2). Hirt has the second-most wins in Denison women's basketball history, and a ring to go along with it.

To see the full list of All-Americans, click here for WBCA and D3hoops.com.

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