GSC Preseason Rankings Release
WBCA Preseason Rankings Release

JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University women's basketball team has earned two impressive preseason rankings for the 2025-26 season. The Gulf South Conference coaches selected Union No. 1, while the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) tabbed the Lady Bulldogs No. 2 nationally. 

Union earned the top spot in the GSC and is the favorite to repeat as champions in 2026. The coaches voted Union tops with 119 points and 10 first-place votes. Lee was picked second with 107 points, while UAH was third with 106 points and two first-place votes. 

Nationally, the WBCA Coaches' Poll had Union as the No. 2 team in the country, behind the defending national champions, Grand Valley State. Grand Valley State earned 21 of the 22 first-place votes. Texas Women's came in third, while North Georgia is fourth, earning the other first-place vote. 

The 2025-26 schedule will have a challenging start for Union. Union opens the season in Pennsylvania versus No. 5 Gannon, November 7, versus receiving votes Ferris State, November 8, and versus No. 15 Minnesota State University, Mankato, November 9. MSU Mankato won the D2 national title in 2024. Union then played receiving votes Miles at home, November 18, No. 6 Ashland at home, November 25, and receiving votes Drury at home, December 15. 

The South region is well represented in the WBCA poll. Following Union is Embry-Riddle at No. 12, Nova Southeastern at No. 19, and Tampa at No. 23. Lee, the only other GSC school listed, is receiving votes along with Miles and Clark Atlanta.  

Union returns six players, including Kynidi Mason Striverson (three games) and Aryn Roberts (five games), who saw very little time due to injuries. Olivia Lee returns, having been named All-GSC, All-Region, and honorable-mentioned All-America last season. She was also named preseason All-GSC this year. Also returning for Union are Annie Buisson, Nora Saffell, and Courtney Zensen. 

Eight new players hit the floor this season for Union, including the GSC Freshman of the Year from last year, Aubrey Sorrells, a transfer from Montevallo. Union also adds transfers Macy Smith (St. Bonaventure ), La'Sonja Hill (Ohio Dominican), Morgan Escobedo (Chaminade), and Kaitlyn Yoder (Goldy Beacom). Local standout Maddie Gray from Westview High School (Martin, Tenn.) leads a talented freshman class, which also includes Grace Abram (Memphis, Tenn.) and Abigail Bryan (Petersburn, Tenn.). 

Union head coach Mark Campbell, who announced this would be his final season has head coach at Union, it entering his 27th season. He is 775-120 in his career and is just 25 wins away from 800 for his career. If he reaches 25 wins before he gets 8 losses this year, he will reach 800 wins faster than any coach in college basketball history.

-UNION-