The 2025-26 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) NCAA Division II preseason coaches poll was released on Tuesday (Oct. 28) afternoon, and Ashland University will begin the new season at No. 6.
 
This is the fifth consecutive season, and the 12^th time since 2012, that the Eagles are in the top 25 in the preseason coaches poll.

In the non-conference portion of its schedule, AU will play both the preseason No. 1 (Grand Valley State, home, Dec. 19) and No. 2 (Union, away, Nov. 24) squads.
 
Ashland is 359-24 (.937) all-time as a ranked team.
 
On Oct. 23, the 2025-26 Great Midwest Athletic Conference women's basketball preseason coaches poll saw Ashland as the league's preseason favorite.
 
Eagle women's basketball finished 32-4 overall and 19-1 in the Great Midwest in 2024-25, winning both the conference regular-season and tournament titles for a fourth straight year. Ashland also reached the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 for the eighth time in program history.
 
Over the last 14 seasons (2011-12 to 2024-25), Ashland is 422-45 (.904) with three NCAA Division II national titles, two national runner-up finishes, three undefeated seasons, a D-II-record 73-game winning streak, nine 30-win seasons, 13 NCAA postseason qualifications, 10 conference regular-season championships, 11 conference tournament titles, and a mark of 227-14 (.942) at the Sherrill Hudson Court at Kates Gymnasium.
 
The 2025-26 season will begin with an exhibition game at NCAA Division I Iowa on Thursday (Oct. 30) at 7:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. Central), followed by the season-opener on Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. vs. Indianapolis at home.
 
2025-26 ASHLAND UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WBCA COACHES POLL RANKINGS: No. 6 (preseason).