INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Great Lakes Valley released the 2025-26 Women's Bowling preseason coaches poll. The preseason poll is determined by the league's head coaches, who, per GLVC Bylaws, are not permitted to vote for their own team. Maryville took the top spot in the poll, with the Jets securing the fourth spot with 29 points. 

No. 1 Maryville
Maryville received seven first-place votes and 49 total points in the poll. They are currently ranked tenth in National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) All-Divisions and first in DII/DIII Preseason Coaches' Poll. Coached by Lauren Russo in her fourth campaign, who was named Coach of the Year by both the GLVC and NTCA for the third-straight season in 2025. Maryville is coming off of a second GLVC title in program history and made a third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Maryville returns NTCA DII and GLVC Player and Rookie of the Year – Elizabeth Teuber – and All-GLVC Second Team selection Morgan Brunner.

No. 2 McKendree
McKendree received one first-place vote and 42 total points in the poll. The Bearcats are ranked 15th in NTCA All-Divisions and third in DII/DIII Preseason Coaches' Poll. McKendree is coached by Shawn Bibee, who enters his third campaign.The Bearcats return All-GLVC Honorable Mention honoree Alexis Ogle.

No. 3 Oklahoma Christian
Oklahoma Christian received 38 total points in the poll. The Eagles are ranked 24th in NTCA All-Divisions and fifth in DII/DIII Preseason Coaches' Poll. Last season, the Eagles finished as runners-up in GLVC Championship.OCU is coached by James Hayes, who begins his eighth year.They will return All-GLVC Second Team honoree Rhiannon Davis and Honorable Mention Tori Justice.

No. 4 Newman
The Jets received 29 total points in the poll. To begin the year, women's bowling received votes in the NTCA All-Divisions poll and took the 7th spot in the first poll of the DII/DIII Preseason Coaches poll. Director of Bowling, Billy Murphy, enters into his 23rd year of coaching after leading the Jets to a 3rd place finish in the GLVC Championships. All-GLVC Honorable Mention honoree, Ashley Soto returns for the Jets this season. 

Women's Bowling kicked off the year at the Warhawk Classic this past weekend. Newman posted a 9-3 record on the weekend, with three wins against McKendree who earned the second spot in the GLVC preseason poll. One of the Jets three wins against the Bearcats came in the championship. Newman would take first place, and place two athletes on the All-Tournament team including Soto and freshman Claire Jacobson. 

Rounding out the poll respectively in fifth through eighth was University of Central Missouri (27 points), Lewis University (19), University of Indianapolis (13), and Quincy University (7). The complete poll and voting results can be found below. 

Women's Bowling Preseason Poll
1. Maryville 49 (7)
2. McKendree 42 (1)
3. Oklahoma Christian 38
4. Newman 29
5. Central Missouri 27
6. Lewis 19
7. Indianapolis 13
8. Quincy 7

The Jets are set to host Midstates Championships this weekend, their only Wichita tournament of the season.