FAIRMONT, W. Va. -- Shawnee State women's basketball was voted to finish 10th in the Mountain East Conference by the 2026 MEC Preseason Coaches Poll.
The MEC women's basketball preseason poll was announced Tuesday afternoon at the WesBanco Arena, the site of this year's basketball media day.
Fairmont State received five out of 12 total first-place votes, as coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams. Additionally, Fairmont State tallied 113 points.
The Falcons posted an overall record of 21-9, marking a 13-7 record in conference play last season as they concluded their season in the semifinals at the 2026 MEC Women's Basketball Tournament with a loss to Glenville State.
The University of Charleston was selected to finish second in the poll with five first place votes and 111 total points. The Golden Eagles were last year's MEC Women's Basketball Tournament Champions, posting an overall record of 21-11, with a conference record of 14-6.The Golden Eagles concluded their season during the opening round of the NCAA DII Atlantic Regional against No. 1 Indiana (Pa.) in Indiana, Pennsylvania.
Glenville State University earned the final two first place votes in the poll, totaling 101 points. The Pioneers marked records of 24-7 and 16-4 during the 2025-26 season. Glenville State concluded their season during the first round of the NCAA DII Atlantic Regional against No. 3 Winston-Salem State in Indiana, Pa.
West Virginia Wesleyan College and Concord University rounded out the top-five of the preseason poll, with 84 and 77 points, respectively.
Shawnee State received 32 points which was the 10th-most in the conference.
The Bears wrapped up their final season in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the River States Conference with a 24-9 overall record and a 12-4 mark in conference play.
Shawnee State earned an at-large bid to the NAIA National Women's Basketball Tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16 as a No. 15 seed before falling to eventual national champion Marian (Ind.).
Returning for Shawnee State this season are Second-Team All-RSC selection Laken Williams, along with Jonilyah Chambers, Ra'Khyia Prince, Jariah Steele, Kenya Peck, Savannah Cantrell, Makenzie Daubenmire, Jaden Tucker, Skyler Keslar and Onyinyechi Sanders.
2026-27 MEC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
(First-Place votes) Total Points
Fairmont State: (5) 113
Charleston: (5) 111
Glenville State: (2) 101
WV Wesleyan: 84
Concord: 77
Frostburg State: 72
West Liberty: 68
Wheeling: 50
West Virginia State: 46
Shawnee State: 32
Point Park: 23
Davis & Elkins: 15
Up Next
Shawnee State will begin the 2026-27 season on Monday, Nov. 9, against Cedarville at Waller Gymnasium in Portsmouth, Ohio. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
*The first 150 fans in attendance will receive a 2026-27 Shawnee State Women's Basketball schedule poster, presented by The Portsmouth Brewing Company and Dunkin' Donuts.
