CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Kent State Golden Flashes have been selected as MAC regular season and tournament champions in the 2025-26 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league’s head coaches. Head coaches were not allowed to vote for themselves in the poll.

The Golden Flashes received five votes to win both the regular season championship as well as the 2026 tournament title inside Rocket Arena. 

Toledo was picked to finish second with 118 points and two first place votes, while earning a trio of selections to win the tournament championship. 

UMass (115 points), Ball State (112 points) and Central Michigan (105 points) rounded out the top five in this year’s preseason poll. Additionally, the Minutewomen and Cardinals each received three first place votes. 

Ten of the league's top women's basketball players were also selected to the Preseason All-MAC first and second teams as announced by the league office. 

A complete list of the MAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll and All-MAC Teams can be found below.

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
 
2025-26 MAC Women’s Basketball Preseason All-MAC Teams
First Team
Janae Tyler, Kent State, Junior
Kendall Carruthers, Toledo, Junior
Madi Morson, Central Michigan, Sophomore
Paige Kohler, Bowling Green, Junior
Sisi Eleko, Eastern Michigan, Senior
 
Second Team
Amber Tretter, Miami, Junior
Ayanna-Sarai Darrington, Central Michigan, Sophomore
Megan Olbrys, UMass, Senior
Mya Babbitt, Kent State, Junior
Yahmani McKayle, UMass, Sophomore