KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Pittsburg State University women's basketball team was selected as the preseason favorite in the 2025-26 MIAA Preseason Media Poll released today (Oct. 6) while the Gorillas were tabbed third in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.
 
The defending champion Gorillas received 13 first-place votes and 326 points from the media to earn the No. 1 ranking. Fort Hays State registered five first-place votes and 299 points to land at No. 2 in the media poll, while Washburn gained three first-place votes and 276 points to finish third in the poll. Central Missouri placed fourth overall with four first-place votes and 271 points.

In the coaches poll, FHSU drew the No. 1 ranking with two first-place votes and 152 points, while Washburn secured six first-place votes and 148 points to claim the No. 2 spot. Pitt State was third with five first-place votes and 144 points.

Head coach Amanda Davied returns two starters and five letterwinners from a 2024-25 team that posted a school record 33-4 record (18-1 MIAA), captured both the MIAA Regular Season and Postseason Tournament titles en route to reach the NCAA Division II Final Four.
Senior guard Harper Schreiner (Eudora, Kan.) returns as a three-time All-MIAA performer. Schreiner has amassed 816 points (8.2 ppg), 581 rebounds (5.8 rpg) and 428 assists (4.3 apg) in 100 career games for the Gorillas.

Junior guard/forward Macie Mays (El Dorado Springs, Mo.) averaged 13.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 2024-25, earning third-team All-MIAA honors.
 
Davied has a 148-62 career record entering her eighth season leading her alma mater.
 
Pitt State will open the 2025-26 season by competing in the MIAA/NSIC Conference Challenge Nov. 14-15 at Kearney, Neb. The Gorillas will battle Northern State and Minnesota Crookston in the two-day classic format tournament.

2025-26 MIAA Coaches Poll

1. Fort Hays State [2] – 152 points
2. Washburn [6] – 148 points
3. Pittsburg State [5] – 144 points
4. Central Missouri [1] – 138 points
5. Nebraska Kearney – 135 points
6. Missouri Western – 99 points
7. Missouri Southern – 95 points
8. Northwest Missouri – 78 points
9. Northeastern State – 76 points
10. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 73 points
11. Emporia State – 48 points
12. Central Oklahoma – 44 points
13. Rogers State – 28 points
14. Newman – 16 points

[#] - Number of First-Place Votes


2025-26 MIAA Media Poll

1. Pittsburg State [13] – 326 points
2. Fort Hays State [5] – 299 points
3. Washburn [3] – 276 points
4. Central Missouri [4] – 271 points
5. Nebraska Kearney – 268 points
6. Missouri Western – 227 points
7. Northwest Missouri – 187 points
8. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 185 points
9. Missouri Southern – 176 points
10. Emporia State – 127 points
11. Northeastern State – 111 points
12. Central Oklahoma – 92 points
13. Rogers State – 49 points
14. Newman – 31 points

 [#] - Number of First-Place Votes