USF Touted as Preseason Favorites to Claim Crossroads League Title
JACKSON, Mich. – The Crossroads League announced its 2025-2026 Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll and Preseason All-League Team on Wednesday, as voted on by the league’s head coaches.
Saint Francis was named the preseason favorite by a narrow margin over Marian, after posting a 26-5 overall record last season and a 15-3 mark in league play. The Cougars led the preseason poll with 12 points, followed by Marian (14), Indiana Wesleyan (27), Huntington (32) and Spring Arbor (40) in the top-five.
The Preseason All-Crossroads League First-Team was headlined by USF’s Cali Gregory and Marian’s returning NAIA All-American and CL Player of the Year, Abbey McNally. The rest of the Preseason All-CL First-Team included Liv Raby (HU), Taylor Double (MU), Isabella Gizzi (USF), Bailey Kelham (HU), Renna Schwieterman (USF), Megan Zeitz (SAU), Angela Roshak (MVNU) and Mariah Claywell (BU).
The 2025-2026 season is set to open on Thursday, October 23, with the first league games slated for Wednesday, November 19.
2025-2026 Crossroads League Preseason Poll
1-Saint Francis, 12
2-Marian, 14
3-Indiana Wesleyan, 27
4-Huntington, 32
5-Spring Arbor, 40
6-Bethel, 57
7-Grace, 60
T8-Mount Vernon Nazarene, 65
T8-Taylor, 65
10-Goshen, 78
205-2026 Crossroads League Preseason All-League
First-Team
-Abbey McNally, Marian
-Cali Gregory, Saint Francis
-Liv Raby, Huntington
-Taylor Double, Marian
-Isabella Gizzi, Saint Francis
-Bailey Kelham, Huntington
-Renna Schwieterman, Saint Francis
-Megan Zeitz, Spring Arbor
-Angela Roshak, Mount Veron Nazarene
-Mariah Claywell, Bethel
Second-Team
-Morganne Houk, Grace
-Kenna Kirby, Marian
-Emily Mattingly, Indiana Wesleyan
-Julia Mantyla, Saint Francis
-Olivia Nickerson, Bethel
-Emma Fohl, Taylor
-Ellie Kelleher, Indiana Wesleyan
-Madisyn Bailey, Marian
-Olivia Faust, Marian
-Kiley McNally, Marian