Indianapolis, IN - The McKendree University Women's Basketball team was picked to finish fourth in the 2026-2027 Great Lakes Valley Conference Preseason Poll, released Friday morning by the conference.
The Bearcats are coming off an 18-9, 15-5 season, placing fourth in the conference regular season standings for 2025-26. McKendree fell in the GLVC Tournament Quarterfinal to Lewis. The top two returning scorers for the Bearcats include
Baylie Parks (16.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 43 assists, 42 steals) and
Emma Slings (6.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 106 assists, 22 steals). Parks was second in the conference in scoring, and third in rebounding, while Slings was fourth in assists and first in assist/turnover ratio.
Madison Johnson (22 starts) is another consistent starter who is back after having gone for 4.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 26 steals, and 14 assists. As a team, McKendree was first in the GLVC in Scoring Offense (73.5 ppg), Team Offensive Rebounds (14.9 rpg), and Rebounding Margin (+ 9.0).
Beyond a first and second-place swap, the 2026-27 preseason poll mirrors the conference's 2025-26 regular season finish.
The Bearcats unofficially tip off their season with an exhibition game against Division III Greenville at 12:00 PM on Thursday, November 5th. The official home and regular season opener is Monday, November 9th at 6:00 PM.
2026-2027 GLVC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
First Place Votes in Parentheses
1st | Maryville Saints | 186 (6)
2nd | UMSL Tritons | 183 (6)
3rd | Drury Panthers | 171 (2)
4th | McKendree Bearcats | 141
T-5th | Lewis Flyers | 130
T-5th | Truman State Bulldogs | 130
7th | Quincy Hawks | 114
8th | Upper Iowa Peacocks | 107
9th | UIS Prairie Stars | 98
10th | Missouri S&T Miners | 90 (1)
11th | Southwest Baptist Bearcats | 60
12th | UIndy Greyhounds | 54
13th | Rockhurst Hawks | 50
14th | Lincoln Blue Tigers | 37
15th | William Jewell Cardinals | 23
