Reigning MAC Champs Picked Fourth in MAC Preseason Poll & Earns Votes to Win Tourney

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Ball State women's basketball team has been picked fourth in the 2025-26 Mid-American Conference preseason poll. The Cardinals were also recognized as one of the favorites to win the tournament again this season.

Ahead of the Cardinals were 1. Kent State (133 points), 2. Toledo (118 points) and 3. UMass (115 points). Ball State earned 112 points along with three votes to be picked as the favorite and one vote to win the tournament. Head coaches were not allowed to vote for themselves in the poll.

Ball State is coming off another historic season under 14th-year head coach Brady Sallee. The Cardinals return four players from the 2024-25 MAC regular season and tournament title squad. Last year's team made the programs second-ever appearance at the NCAA Tournament and ended the year with a 27-8 overall record.

The Cardinals welcome back junior Tessa Towers, along with sophomores Zuri Ransom and Grace Kingery. All three logged minutes to help last year's championship team achieve their goals. Junior Ashlynn Brooke will re-enter the lineup as well after recovering from an injury that occurred in 2024.

The additions to this year's team include transfers Karsyn Norman and Bree Salenbien. The Cardinals also bring in true freshmen Zhen Verburgt, Violeta Rojas, Alba Caballero, Giorgia Gorini, Brooke Winchester, Aniss Tagayi and Laura Martinez.

The Ball State women's basketball team will hold an exhibition contest in Worthen Arena on Wednesday, October 29 against IU East which is set to begin at 6:30 pm ET.

2025-26 MAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll?
(First Place Votes)
1. Kent State (5) – 133 points
2. Toledo (2) – 118 points
3. UMass (3) – 115 points
4. Ball State (3) – 112 points
5. Central Michigan – 105 points
6. Bowling Green – 101 points
7. Miami – 86 points
8. Akron – 51 points
9. Western Michigan – 48 points
10. Ohio – 44 points
11. Buffalo – 42 points
12. Eastern Michigan – 36 points
13. Northern Illinois – 23 points

Tournament Champion: Kent State – 5, UMass – 3, Toledo – 3, Ball State – 1, Miami – 1

Reigning MAC Champs Picked Fourth in MAC Preseason Poll & Earns Votes to Win Tourney

Players Mentioned

Ashlynn Brooke

Alba Caballero

Giorgia Gorini

Grace Kingery

Laura Martinez

Karsyn Norman

Zuri Ransom

Violeta Rojas

Bree Salenbien

Aniss Tagayi

Tessa Towers

Zhen Verburgt

Brooke Winchester

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