Ball State University Athletics
October 20, 2026 | Women's Basketball
League coaches awarded the Cardinals 111 total points and five first-place votes to secure the top spot in the regular-season projections. Ball State also tied for a league-high four votes to win the postseason tournament, which comes with an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The conference recognition also highlighted individual standout talent, with two Cardinals earning Preseason All-MAC honors: Preseason All-MAC honors:
- Tessa Towers (First Team): The senior center returns after a breakout season where she averaged 14.7 points and 8.39 rebounds per game, establishing an unmatched interior presence in the league.
- Grace Kingery (Second Team): The forward garnered a second-team nod following a standout campaign where she averaged 13.4 points per game and shot a lethal 40.9% from behind the three-point arc.
2026-27 MAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Ball State (5) – 111 points
2. Miami (4) – 108 points
3. UMass (1) – 103 points
4. Toledo (2) – 98 points
5. Ohio – 75 points
6. Eastern Michigan – 61 points
7. Kent State– 59 points
8. Bowling Green – 50 points
9. Central Michigan – 44 points
10. Western Michigan – 37 points
11. Akron – 27 points
12. Buffalo – 19 points
Tournament Champion: Ball State – 4; Toledo – 4; Miami – 3; UMass – 1
2026-27 MAC Women's Basketball Preseason All-MAC Teams
First Team
Kendall Carruthers, Toledo
Yahmani McKayle, UMass
Bailey Tabeling, Ohio
Tessa Towers, Ball State
Amber Tretter, Miami
Second Team
Faith Fedd-Robinson, Toledo
Peyton Hill, Eastern Michigan
Grace Kingery, Ball State
Julianna Lamendola, Miami
Jyah LoVett, Toledo
Aniya Rowe, Buffalo
