2025-26 GNAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll Overview
WINTHROP, Mass. – The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) has announced the results of its 2025–26 Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll, with Saint Joseph’s College of Maine emerging as the favorite, as determined by the votes of the league’s 13 head coaches. The Monks amassed a total of 160 points, including six first-place votes, following their commendable performance that took them to last year’s championship game.
Competitive Landscape in the GNAC
In a close race, Emmanuel College comes in second place, achieving 146 points along with five first-place endorsements. The Saints, who finished seventh in the previous season, are known for their resilient postseason performances and aim to reclaim their status as a formidable contender for the conference title.
Reigning champions, the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.), rank third in the preseason forecasts, earning 144 points and the last two first-place votes. The Blue Jays celebrated their championships last season with an impressive postseason that saw them defeat prominent teams, including the top-seeded Johnson & Wales and second-seeded Saint Joseph’s (Maine). They marked their first trip to the NCAA Tournament, facing off against the nationally-ranked Johns Hopkins.
Top Performers and Rankings
The fourth position is claimed by Albertus Magnus with 134 points, while Rivier completes the top five with 120 points. Regis and Lasell are tied for sixth place, each earning 85 points, followed by Norwich at eighth with 74 points. New England College earns the ninth slot with 66 points, while Colby-Sawyer and Elms tie for tenth with 61 points each. The rankings conclude with Dean at twelfth with 30 points and Mitchell at thirteenth with 17 points.
Key Dates for the Upcoming Season
The 2025–26 women’s basketball season is set to commence on Friday, November 7, starting with non-conference games. Conference play will kick off on Saturday, January 10, featuring a single round-robin schedule consisting of 12 games. The top eight teams from the conference will qualify for the 2025–26 GNAC Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament, beginning with the quarterfinals on Tuesday, February 24. Semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, February 26, culminating in the championship game on Saturday, February 28. The winner will secure the GNAC’s automatic entrance into the 2026 NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship.
2025-26 Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll Results
- 1) Saint Joseph’s (Maine) – 160 points (6 first-place votes)
- 2) Emmanuel – 146 points (5 first-place votes)
- 3) University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) – 144 points (2 first-place votes)
- 4) Albertus Magnus – 134 points
- 5) Rivier – 120 points
- T-6) Regis – 85 points
- T-6) Lasell – 85 points
- 8) Norwich – 74 points
- 9) New England College – 66 points
- T-10) Colby-Sawyer – 61 points
- T-10) Elms – 61 points
- 12) Dean – 30 points
- 13) Mitchell – 17 points
About the Great Northeast Athletic Conference
The GNAC, established in 1995, is an NCAA Division III association comprising 14 member institutions and more than 4,000 student-athletes in the New England area. The conference sponsors 20 championships annually, emphasizing athletic integrity, equity, and community involvement, all aimed at enriching the student-athlete experience.
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