BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – As the Alabama State University women's soccer team heads to the postseason for the third straight season, two of its anchors – midfielders Queenster Mensah and Tamami Nishio – were named to All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) teams, as announced by the organization Wednesday evening.

Mensah, who was a pivotal defensive cog in the Lady Hornets back line in her second year with the program, was named to the First Team as one of the conference's top five midfielders. Nishio, who leaned the other way as part of Bama State's strong center unit, joined the next-best group of five SWAC midfielders, earning Second Team All-SWAC honors in her rookie campaign.

The second-year Ghanaian star has been a lockdown and pestering defender, shutting down some of the conference's best attackers while working in transition to create opportunities on the other end. As the defense has blossomed, Mensah has been behind it all, giving 100 percent on the pitch in every minute of action, even as she has logged heavy mileage in 1,338 minutes of play, among the highest totals on the team.

Among her top performances was her effort in shutting out the three-headed Alcorn State attack, one that featured three All-SWAC attackers, including the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year and one of the nation's top goal scorers, holding the Braves' front line to one on-target shot in 16 total tries.

Not only was Mensah a linchpin on the defensive side, but her efforts were especially key on the offensive side as well. The team's first draw saw the sophomore's first career point, an assist to her All-Conference midfield counterpart in a 2-2 contest. Nearly a month later, the sophomore scored her first career goal in a record-breaking, 12-0 victory, where she notched a brace and an assist while taking eight shots and putting five on target as one of the more efficient shooters of the night.

While her offensive performance saw her earn six points with two goals and a pair of assists on the year in addition to 10 of 17 shots being placed on goal, it was her defensive dominance that was highlighted by opposing offenses, as head coach Alicia Wilson and company built one of the conference's premier defenses around the young underclassman.

Nishio, the rookie midfielder who patrolled the attacking side of the center midfield, was among the most consistent players for the Hornets this season, attempting 18 shots with seven on goal and three finding the back of the net. Her best performance saw the Sakuchousei High School product single-handedly lead the team to a 2-2 draw against Arkansas State in non-conference play, securing a perfect shooting performance while notching SWAC Newcomer of the Week Honors.

The Japanese native has been a strong presence in the midfield, whether it be efficiently moving the ball around or generating an offensive push for the Lady Hornets, as her statistical peaks align with the success and growth of the team. When shifting to the other end, the rookie midfielder has been key in battling opposing teams when they have possession, frustrating them into poor shots, which has helped the Lady Hornets achieve five shutouts on the year, including three straight to end the season. While the season is not yet over for sixth-seeded Alabama State, Nishio has shown her value as a great piece for the Hornets to build around in years to come.

The Lady Hornets (2-10-4, 2-3-3 SWAC) open the SWAC Championship Tournament as the sixth seed, where it will face third-seeded Alcorn State in the quarterfinal round on Thursday, Nov. 12, at the PVAMU Soccer Complex in Prairie View, Texas.

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2026 Southwestern Athletic Conference Women's Soccer All-Conference Teams and Major Award Winners

SWAC Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Year: Grace Ambrose, Alcorn State
SWAC Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Year: Cariana Pou, Grambling State
SWAC Women's Soccer Newcomer of the Year: Ava Coverdale, Texas Southern
SWAC Women's Soccer Midfielder of the Year: Annick Zouma, Alcorn State
SWAC Women's Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year: Alina Arneth, Grambling State
 
SWAC Women's Soccer Eastern Division First Team All-Conference
D: Bridget Sakyi, Alcorn State
D: Cariana Pou, Grambling State
D: Kianah Farmer, Jackson State
F: Grace Ambrose, Alcorn State
F: Nyla Dore-Anderson, Grambling State
F: Ava Coverdale, Texas Southern
M: Annick Zouma, Alcorn State
M: Ryanne Hawthorn-Harper, Jackson State
M: Sarah Portis, Jackson State
M: Queenster Mensah, Alabama State
GK: Alina Arneth, Grambling State
 
SWAC Women's Soccer Eastern Division Second Team All-Conference
D: Sophia Bobie, Alcorn State
D: Makayla Sturkey, Jackson State
D: Méghane St-Cyr, Alabama A&M
F: Larissa Joso Luma, Alcorn State
F: Czaske Deane, Alabama A&M
F: Brooke Atkins, Southern
M: Kennedy Farr, Grambling State
M: Ainara Aldeano, Alcorn State
M: Alyssa Valdez, Texas Southern
M: Tamami Nishio, Alabama State
GK: Taylor Osborn, Jackson State