Rome, GA - The USA South Athletic Conference announced its 2025-26 Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll, with NCWU selected third overall following one of the program's most successful seasons in recent years.

Southern Virginia, the defending regular season and tournament champion, topped the poll with 81 total points and nine first-place votes after finishing a perfect 16-0 in conference play last year. Brevard, who met the Knights in last season's USA South Tournament championship game, placed second with 69 points. Wesleyan was close behind in third with 64 points, while Methodist rounded out the top four and earned the remaining first-place vote. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.

The Bishops' top-three ranking reflects the steady rise of the program under head coach Artina Trader. Wesleyan reached the USA South semifinals last season and returns a talented roster that aims to compete for its first league title since 2018. Historically, the Bishops rank among the conference's most successful programs, with one regular season and three tournament championships since joining the USA South.

The 2026 USA South Tournament will again be held on campus sites, beginning February 24 with first-round play. Semifinals are scheduled for February 26, with the championship set for February 28. The higher-seeded team in each contest will serve as the host.

Upcoming Schedule
Wesleyan opens the 2025-26 season at home on Wednesday, November 12, hosting Mary Washington inside Everett Gymnasium. The Bishops will then host the Jean Edge Classic on November 15-16, featuring matchups with Averett and Lynchburg.

Conference play begins December 2 when the Bishops welcome Brevard to Rocky Mount for its USA South opener. Other key home dates include matchups with Pfeiffer on December 6, Methodist on February 3, and Senior Day on February 14 versus Mary Baldwin. The team will also face Division I Elon in an exhibition contest on December 30.