INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletic Conference released the 2025-26 Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll Thursday afternoon. The four-time G-MAC Champions Ashland University claimed the top spot, followed by Malone and Northwood.
 
The Eagles will look to replace a depth of talent after graduating 2024-25 Player of the Year Zoe Miller as well as all-conference selections Hayley Smith and Lydia Sweeney. Head Coach Kari Pickens and the Eagles advanced to the Midwest Regional Final before falling to Grand Valley State, who went on to win the national title. Lexi Howe returns for Ashland after missing part of her sophomore season due to injury. Howe returned to play in 21 games for the Eagles, starting in 19. She averaged 7.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals for Ashland. Sophomore Ashley Mullet also returns for Pickens after making an immediate impact during her freshman season. She started in 17 games and averaged 6.9 points and 2.3 assists. The Eagles will look to win their fifth consecutive women’s basketball title.
 
The league’s top scorer in 2024-25 returns in Malone’s Erin Kaufman. Kaufman was a first-team selection after averaging 16.0 points through 30 games. Kaufman and the Pioneers reached the semifinal game of the conference championship and finished the year 22-8 overall.
 
Slated third in the coaches poll are the Northwood Timberwolves. Last season, NU handed Ashland their first conference loss since 2022. Freshman of the Year Lea Holmes returns for Coach of the Year Autumn Haggadone after leading the league in scoring with 16.0 points per game. Holmes started in all 30 games and registered a field goal percentage of .537. Another top returner for the Timberwolves is Maeve St. John, who led the league in assists per game at 5.8. Her on-court efficiency led St. John to become a first-team all-conference selection.
 
Findlay and Hillsdale round out the top five followed by Kentucky Wesleyan and Cedarville.
 
Senior Alyssa Ziehler was named first-team all-conference after averaging 11.4 points and led the Oilers with 7.1 rebounds per game. She recorded six double-doubles last year and registered a career-high 25 points against Kentucky Wesleyan.
 
Hillsdale will look to replace the tandem of Lauren McDonald and Caitlin Splain in hopes of returning to the G-MAC championship finale.
 
For Cedarville, sophomore Ella Sellars returns for the Yellow Jackets. Last season, Sellars averaged 11.2 points through 29 games.
 
Thomas More, Ohio Dominican, and Walsh are predicted to finish 8th,9th, and 10^th followed by Ursuline, Tiffin, and Lake Erie.
 
Great Midwest women’s basketball is set to begin Nov. 14, with 11 non-conference matchups set to take place. 

School	Points
1. Ashland (9)	154
2. Malone (2)	143
3. Northwood (2)	138
4. Findlay	120
5. Hillsdale	115
6. Kentucky Wesleyan	95
7. Cedarville	91
8. Thomas More	84
9. Ohio Dominican	69
10. Walsh	64
11. Ursuline	45
12. Tiffin	38
13. Lake Erie	28