INDIANAPOLIS – Newman was voted in the preseason coaches’ poll, presented by Primo Designs, as the choice to win the 2027 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) women’s bowling championship, the league office announced on Wednesday.
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 Newman
- Received all seven of the possible first-place votes and 49 total points.
- Ranked 12th in National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
- Became first GLVC associate member to win outright Conference title.
- Made program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and finished third in Arlington Regional.
- Coached by Billy Murphy in his 24th year, who was named Coach of the Year by both the GLVC and NTCA Division II in 2026.
- Returners led by GLVC Freshman of the Year, All-GLVC First Team honoree, and NTCA All-America Honorable Mention recipient Claire Jacobson.
- Also return All-GLVC Honorable Mention selections Paighton Crumley and Ashley Soto.
No. 2 McKendree
- Received the other first-place vote and 40 total points.
- Ranked 15th in NTCA Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
- Coached by Shawn Bibee, who enters his fourth campaign.
- Return All-GLVC Second Team selection Shanna Kimball.
No. 3 Maryville
- Received 37 total points.
- Ranked 13th in NTCA Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
- Finished as runners-up in GLVC Championship last season.
- Mentored by Kayla Verstraete, who enters her first year at the helm.
- Return All-GLVC First Team honoree Morgan Brunner and Second Team selection Brooke Pabst.
No. 4 Central Missouri
- Received 31 total points.
- Ranked 23rd in NTCA Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
- Coached by Ron Holmes, who enters his 26th year.
- Return All-GLVC Second Team honoree Sydney Lee and Honorable Mention selections Camryn Cramer and Julia Speich.
Rounding out the poll respectively in fifth through eighth was Oklahoma Christian (25 points), Lewis (20), Quincy (12), and Indianapolis (10).
The complete poll and voting results can be found below.
| Place |
School |
Points (1st-Place Votes) |
| 1. |
Newman |
49 (7) |
| 2. |
McKendree |
40 (1) |
| 3. |
Maryville |
37 |
| 4. |
Central Missouri |
31 |
| 5. |
Oklahoma Christian |
25 |
| 6. |
Lewis |
20 |
| 7. |
Quincy |
12 |
| 8. |
Indianapolis |
10 |