Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
OSHKOSH, Wisconsin – Ripon College is projected to win its eighth consecutive Midwest Conference (MWC) women’s basketball championship, according to a vote by the league’s head coaches in the 2025-26 preseason poll, announced Wednesday morning.
The Red Hawks earned 62 points and seven first-place votes to take the top spot in the poll. Over the past seven full seasons, Ripon has shared or won outright the regular season crown every year and claimed four tournament titles. Last season, the Red Hawks went 15-1 against league opponents and 23-5 overall.
Cornell College earned 53 points overall and one first-place vote to take second in the poll. Boasting the reigning MWC Newcomer of the Year in Erin Knowles, head coach Brent Brase’s squad has qualified for the Midwest Conference Tournament in two of the past three seasons.
Lawrence University collected 52 points and the remaining first-place vote to finish third. Last year, the Vikings won 18 games, finishing second in the MWC regular season standings. Lawrence qualified for back-to-back MWC Tournaments for the first time since 2006-07.
The top five is rounded out by Illinois College and Grinnell College, as the Lady Blues and Pioneers each received 39 points. Closing out the poll was Knox College (34 points), Lake Forest College (18 points), Monmouth College (16 points) and Beloit College (11 points).
Six teams – Knox, Cornell, Beloit, Lawrence, Illinois College and Lake Forest – open up the 2025-26 on Friday, November 7. MWC play begins on Tuesday, November 25 when Knox travels to Illinois College and Beloit visits Grinnell.
The 2026 MWC Women’s Basketball Tournament is scheduled for Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28. This season-ending event will feature the league’s top four teams from the final standings, competing for the tournament title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Full preseason poll results and quick facts for all nine league teams are available below.
2025-26 MWC Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Ripon College (7) – 62 points
2. Cornell College (1) – 53 points
3. Lawrence University (1) – 52 points
T4. Grinnell College – 39 points
T4. Illinois College – 39 points
6. Knox College – 34 points
7. Lake Forest College – 18 points
8. Monmouth College – 16 points
9. Beloit College – 11 points
() – indicates first-place votes
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Larry Knight (2nd Season)
2024-25: 3-22 (overall); 2-14 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Brent Brase (21st Season)
2024-25: 14-11 (overall); 10-6 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Erin Knowles (Sophomore, Forward,
2025 MWC Newcomer of the Year)
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Dana Harrold (13th Season)
2024-25: 19-8 (overall); 12-4 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Bailey Strovers (Junior, Guard)
Illinois College Lady Blues
Head Coach: Jennifer McCormick (10th Season)
2024-25: 10-15 (overall); 7-9 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Jayln Patterson (Senior, Forward)
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Emily Carpenter (1st Season)
2024-25: 15-10 (overall); 10-6 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Bria Medina (Junior, Guard)
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Tamlyn Tills (18th Season)
2024-25: 4-21 (overall); 2-14 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Riley Woldt (8th Season)
2024-25: 18-8 (overall); 12-4 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Charlotte Brennan (Junior, Guard)
Monmouth College Fighting Scots
Head Coach: Michelle DeCoud (3rd Season)
2024-25: 5-20 (overall); 2-14 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Lauren Busalacchi (12th Season)
2024-25: 23-5 (overall); 15-1 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Laney Havlovitz (Junior, Guard), Halle Van Horn (Sophomore, Guard)