KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northeastern State was picked ninth in the coaches poll and 11th in the media poll as the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association released its 2025-26 women's basketball preseason rankings Monday at its annual Media Day in downtown Kansas City.
The RiverHawks earned 76 points from the league's head coaches and 111 points in the media vote. Fort Hays State topped the coaches poll, while Pittsburg State, the MIAA regular-season and tournament champion, led the media rankings.
The MIAA tipped off the new season Monday with its annual Basketball Media Day at the College Basketball Experience. Coaches from all 14 programs previewed the upcoming year, with fans able to watch the event live on The MIAA Network.
Northeastern State finished 11-17 overall and 7-12 in league play last season.
Fort Hays State received 152 points and two first-place votes to lead the coaches poll. Washburn was second with 148 points and six first-place nods, while Pittsburg State, which reached last year's NCAA Division II semifinals, was third with 144 points and five first-place votes.
Both the coaches and media polls included Central Missouri and Nebraska Kearney in the top five.
The 2025-26 NCAA Division II women's basketball season tips off Oct. 31 with MIAA teams competing in Tip-Off Classics. The MIAA Basketball Championships return March 4-8 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.
2025-26 MIAA Women's Basketball Coaches Poll
- Fort Hays State (2) – 152
- Washburn (6) – 148
- Pittsburg State (5) – 144
- Central Missouri (1) – 138
- Nebraska Kearney – 135
- Missouri Western – 99
- Missouri Southern – 95
- Northwest Missouri – 78
- Northeastern State – 76
- Arkansas-Fort Smith – 73
- Emporia State – 48
- Central Oklahoma – 44
- Rogers State – 28
- Newman – 16
2025-26 MIAA Women's Basketball Media Poll
- Pittsburg State (13) – 326
- Fort Hays State (5) – 299
- Washburn (3) – 276
- Central Missouri (4) – 271
- Nebraska Kearney – 268
- Missouri Western – 227
- Northwest Missouri – 187
- Arkansas-Fort Smith – 185
- Missouri Southern – 176
- Emporia State – 127
- Northeastern State – 111
- Central Oklahoma – 92
- Rogers State – 49
- Newman – 31
