INDIANAPOLIS – Maryville University was voted in the preseason coaches’ poll as the choice to win the 2026 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) women’s bowling championship, the league office announced on Thursday.
The preseason poll is determined by the league’s head coaches, who, per GLVC Bylaws, are not permitted to vote for their own team.
No. 1 Maryville
- Received seven first-place votes and 49 total points.
- Ranked tenth in National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) All-Divisions and first in DII/DIII Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
- Coached by Lauren Russo in her fourth campaign, who was named Coach of the Year by both the GLVC and NTCA for the third-straight season in 2025.
- Won second GLVC title in program history and made third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
- Return NTCA DII and GLVC Player and Rookie of the Year – Elizabeth Teuber – and All-GLVC Second Team selection Morgan Brunner.
No. 2 McKendree
- Received one first-place vote and 42 total points.
- Ranked 15th in NTCA All-Divisions and third in DII/DIII Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
- Coached by Shawn Bibee, who enters his third campaign.
- Return All-GLVC Honorable Mention honoree Alexis Ogle.
No. 3 Oklahoma Christian
- Received 38 total points.
- Ranked 24th in NTCA All-Divisions and fifth in DII/DIII Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
- Finished as runners-up in GLVC Championship last season.
- Mentored by James Hayes, who begins his eighth year.
- Return All-GLVC Second Team honoree Rhiannon Davis and Honorable Mention Tori Justice.
No. 4 Newman
- Received 29 total points.
- Receiving votes in NTCA All-Divisions and ranked seventh in DII/DIII Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
- Coached by Billy Murphy, who enters his 23rd year.
- Return All-GLVC Honorable Mention Ashley Soto.
Rounding out the poll respectively in fifth through eighth was University of Central Missouri (27 points), Lewis University (19), University of Indianapolis (13), and Quincy University (7).
The complete poll and voting results can be found below.
,
| Place |
School |
Points (1st-Place Votes) |
| 1. |
Maryville |
49 (7) |
| 2. |
McKendree |
42 (1) |
| 3. |
Oklahoma Christian |
38 |
| 4. |
Newman |
29 |
| 5. |
Central Missouri |
27 |
| 6. |
Lewis |
19 |
| 7. |
Indianapolis |
13 |
| 8. |
Quincy |
7 |