WESTERVILLE, Ohio - The results of the 2025-26 preseason women's basketball poll were tallied, and Ohio Athletic Conference coaches picked Baldwin Wallace University to top the league standings this season.

While just eight points separated second through sixth place in the poll, the Yellow Jackets comfortably took the top spot with 64 points and received the maximum eight of nine first-place votes, as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting. Ohio Northern University placed second with 47 points, while the University of Mount Union tallied 44 points and received the remaining first-place vote in third place. Otterbein University (43 points) and Capital University (42 points) followed close behind, ranking fourth and fifth, respectively. Marietta College's 39 points landed them in sixth in the projections. Muskingum University (20 points), Wilmington College (15 points), and Heidelberg University (10 points) rounded out the preseason standings. 

Baldwin Wallace is coming off a dominant season where they posted a perfect 18-0 OAC record and won the OAC Tournament Championship. The Yellow Jackets posted a program-best 29-game winning streak last season, going 29-2 overall and making it all the way to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament. Reigning OAC Coach of the Year Cheri Harrer is headed into year 36 at the helm for BW, and the squad will have a number next to their name to start the season, as Baldwin Wallace is ranked in two national preseason polls. The Yellow Jackets start the season ranked No. 9 in the D3hoops.com poll and tied for No. 16 in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association preseason standings. BW will open its season on the road against No. 17 Trine College on Tuesday, November 11, at 7:00 p.m.

 

2025-26 OAC Women's Basketball Coaches Poll
Rank	School (1st Place Votes)	Pts.
1	Baldwin Wallace (8)	64
2	Ohio Northern	47
3	Mount Union (1)	44
4	Otterbein	43
5	Capital	42
6	Marietta	39
7	Muskingum	20
8	Wilmington	15
9	Heidelberg	10