Pikeville, Milligan Receive Votes in NAIA Women's Basketball Poll

1. Dordt (Iowa)

Games prior to next poll: Oct. 24 Viterbo (Wis.), Nov. 7 Grand View (Iowa), Nov. 8 John Brown (Ark.), Nov. 11 Dakota State (S.D.), 

Notes: Opens the 2025-26 season at No. 1 after winning the program's second title. The Defenders return 2025 Tournament MVP and Player of the Year Macy Sievers alongside Gracie Schoonhoven, Olivia Harazin, Willow Bleeker and Desta Hoogendoorn.   

2. Bethel (Tenn.)

Games prior to next poll: Oct. 25 Mount Mercy (Iowa), Oct. 26 Culver-Stockton (Mo.), Oct. 31 Johnson (Tenn.), Nov. 1 Indiana Wesleyan, Nov. 7 Stephens (Mo.), Nov. 8 IU Southeast, Nov. 10 Milligan (Tenn.)

Notes: Advanced to the semifinals for the first time in program history in 2025 and will return all but one to a roster that was headlined by Madison and Micah Hart, who were first and second team All-Americans, respectively. The Wildcats also add a top newcomer in Ada Koelling. The last time the team was voted this high was during the 2015-16 season, when they were tied for No. 2. 

3. Campbellsville (Ky.)

Games prior to next poll: Oct. 28 Union Commonwealth (Ky.), Oct. 31 Indiana Wesleyan, Nov. 1 Johnson (Tenn.), Nov. 7 IU Southeast (Ind.), Nov. 8 Stephens (Mo.)

Notes: Finished their 2025 campaign in the Round of 16. The Tigers return some top talent, including Tyra Flowers, Whitney Hay, Paige Serafini, Dea Bradley, and Talynne Shearer, with a couple of freshmen added to the roster expected to make an impact quickly in Abby Gilbert and Katy Smiley. 

4. Dakota State (S.D.)

Games prior to next poll: Oct. 27 Minnesota-Morris, Oct. 31 Kansas Wesleyan, Nov. 1 Bethel (Kan.), Nov. 11 Dordt (Iowa)

Notes: Finished the 2025 season in the second round of the national tournament. Returns North Star Player of the Year and Second Team All-American Tabor Teel, along with three other starters.

5. Marian (Ind.)

Games prior to next poll: Nov. 1 Pikeville (Ky.), Nov. 7 Saint Xavier (Ill.), Nov. 8 IU Northwest (Ind.), Nov. 11 Oakland City (Ind.)

Notes: Finished the 2025 season in the quarterfinals, falling to the national champions. The Knights return first team All-American Abbey McNally alongside Taylor Double, Kenna Kirby, Olivia Faust, Mardisyn Bailey and Kiley McNalley. 

6. Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.)

Games prior to next poll: Oct. 25 Oakwood (Ala.), Oct. 28 Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.), Oct. 31 St. Thomas (Fla.), Nov. 1 UHSP (Mo.), Nov. 8 Bryan (Tenn.), Nov. 11 Rust (Miss.) 

Notes: Finished the 2025 season in the quarterfinals of the national championship. 

7. Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)

Games prior to next poll: Oct. 24 Dickinson State (N.D.), Oct. 25 Dickinson State (N.D.), Nov. 7 Montana Western, Nov. 8 Park Gilbert (Ariz.)

Notes: Finished its 2025 campaign in the second round. Returns three top players in Darian Herring who set the program single-season blocks record, Payton Hymas and Sitara Byrd. The Warriors welcome two newcomers, freshman Madalyn Green and transfer junior Ellee Brockman. 

8. Saint Francis (Ind.)

Games prior to next poll: Oct. 31 Viterbo (Wis..), Nov. 1 Corenerstone (Mich.), Nov. 7 IU Northwest (Ind.), Nov. 8 Saint Xavier (Ill.) 

Notes: Finished its 2025 season in the first round. Tabbed as the Crossroads League preseason No. 1 with notable players in Cali Gregory, Isabella Gizzi and Renna Schwieterman listed on the Crossroads League Preseason All-League First-Team. 

9. Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)

Games prior to next poll: Oct. 28 Drake University, Nov. 4 Bismarck State (N.D.), Nov. 7 MidAmerica Christian (Kan.), Nov. 8 Arizona Christian

Notes: Finished its 2025 campaign in the second round. DWU returns eight of its top nine players and was picked as No. 2 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference preseason poll. 

10. Indiana Wesleyan

Games prior to next poll: Oct. 16 IU South Bend (Ind.), Oct. 24 Calumet (Ind.), Oct. 31 Campbellsville (Ky.), Nov. 1 Bethel (Tenn.), Nov. 4 IU Northwest (Ind.), Nov. 7 Cornerstone (Mich.), Nov. 8 Aquinas (Mich.), Nov. 11 Indiana Tech

Notes: Finished its 2025 campaign as the runner-up to Dordt (Iowa). Was picked at No. 3 in the Crossroads League preseason poll. 

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