KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The wait is over, the 2025–26 NAIA women's basketball season tips off on Thursday, Oct. 23. Let's take a look at the Preseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll in preparation.
With returning stars, promising newcomers and championship dreams fueling teams across the country, the 2025–26 campaign promises to deliver unforgettable moments, fierce competition, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
After spending the entire 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons at No. 1, the two-time defending champions Dordt (Iowa) Defenders will open the new season at No. 1 for the 17th consecutive poll.
The preseason poll generated significant movement from the 2024-25 final regular season poll, following the final finishes in each team's respective postseason runs and the addition of new players to rosters for the upcoming season. The only teams to remain at the same place were Dordt (Iowa) and Campbellsville (Ky.), while Carroll (Mont.), Indiana Tech, St. Francis (Ill.), Rocky Mountain (Mont.), Shawnee State (Ohio) and Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) all moved into the Top 25.
Poll Methodology
- The national poll is for publicity purposes only and does not influence the selection process for national championship consideration.
- A panel of head coaches representing each conference and the Continental Athletic Conference (Independents) votes in the poll.
- The Top 25 teams are selected using a points-based system:
- 30 points for a 1st-place vote, 29 for 2nd, 28 for 3rd, and so on.
- The highest and lowest rankings received by each team are discarded before final tallying.
- Teams receiving only one point are not listed as "receiving votes."
- For the Preseason Poll, there is no "previous ranking" column since it is the initial poll and differs from the prior rating system.
To view the complete Top 25 Preseason Poll, click here.
