In the 2026-27 Great Midwest Athletic Conference women's basketball coaches' preseason poll, revealed on Wednesday (Oct. 21) afternoon, Ashland University has been picked to finish in second place in the 13-team circuit.
The Eagles received 126 voting points and three first-place votes. Preseason favorite Northwood has 141 voting points and 10 first-place votes, while Walsh sits at No. 3 with 123 voting points.
"Preseason polls are something that are a good gauge based on tradition and what people have returning," said Ashland head coach
Kari Pickens, "but every year is a new year. We're just really excited to be able to put together a really strong season this year. I think we have the ability to do so."
Since 2011-12, Ashland women's basketball has won 10 regular-season conference championships and 11 conference tournament titles.
Eagle women's basketball finished 2025-26 at 14-13 overall and 10-10 in the Great Midwest. From that team returns a pair of All-Great Midwest selections – sophomore forward
Jenna Slates, the reigning conference Freshman of the Year and first-teamer (16.1 ppg., 11.4 rpg., 1.4 apg., 49.6 FG%), and junior point guard
Ashley Mullet, a league second-teamer (11.9 ppg., 3.2 apg., 1.4 rpg., 82.1 FT%).
The 2026-27 campaign will begin at home at 2 p.m. on Nov. 15 against Lake Superior State.
2026-27 GREAT MIDWEST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES' PRESEASON POLL
1. Northwood – 141 points (10 first-place votes)
2. ASHLAND UNIVERSITY – 126 points (3 first-place votes)
3. Walsh – 123 points
4. Thomas More – 110 points
5. Findlay – 91 points
6. Hillsdale – 88 points
7. Kentucky Wesleyan – 86 points
8. Malone – 77 points
9. Cedarville – 53 points
10. Ohio Dominican – 47 points
11. Tiffin – 34 points
12. Lake Erie – 21 points
13. Ursuline – 17 points
