DALLAS – Conference USA programs swept the top six in the National Tenpin Coaches Association Preseason Poll as announced by the organization on Thursday. All 11 schools were represented in the top 25.
Defending National and CUSA Champions, Jacksonville State, retained the top spot on the rankings, earning all 38 first place votes and 1,620 total to claim its spot on top. The Gamecocks are returning their full 2025-26 roster, including first team All-Americans
Annalise Obryant,
Erin Klemencic,
Kaitlyn Stull and reigning National Player of the Year
Gianna Brandolino.
Vanderbilt comes in at No. 2 with 1,484 votes, followed by national runners-up Wichita State with 1,420. The Commodores will be led by new head coach and former Vanderbilt bowler,
Josie Barnes. They will also return a first team All-American in
Katelyn Abigania.
Wichita State welcomes back first team All-American
Aleesha Oden.
The 2026 Conference USA runners-up, Arkansas State, enter the preseason ranked fourth, ahead of No. 5 Nebraska and No. 6 Youngstown. The Red Wolves will return two-time first team All-American
Maggie Thoma.
Rounding out the top ten were No. 8 Sam Houston and No. 10 Sacred Heart.
Wright State enters the season ranked 11
th, followed by No. 17 Tulane and No. 21 Valparaiso.
The 2026-27 season will begin mid-October and will carry on through April. Conference USA will host its championship on March 17-21 in Lincoln, Neb.
2026-27 NTCA Preseason Coaches Poll (first place votes)
| 1. |
Jacksonville State (38) |
1620 |
| 2. |
Vanderbilt |
1484 |
| 3. |
Wichita State |
1420 |
| 4. |
Arkansas State |
1336 |
| 5. |
University of Nebraska |
1330 |
| 6. |
Youngstown State |
1232 |
| 7. |
Louisiana Tech |
1156 |
| 8. |
Sam Houston State University |
1058 |
| 9. |
North Carolina A&T State University |
1012 |
| 10. |
Sacred Heart |
914 |
| 11. |
Wright State |
779 |
| 12. |
Newman University |
764 |
| 13. |
Maryville University |
659 |
| 14. |
Niagara University |
632 |
| 15. |
McKendree University |
614 |
| 16. |
Duquesne University |
529 |
| 17. |
Tulane University |
511 |
| 18. |
Mount St. Mary's University |
506 |
| 19. |
Bryant University |
486 |
| 20. |
University of Alabama at Birmingham |
413 |
| 21. |
Valparaiso University |
307 |
| 22. |
Saint Vincent College |
269 |
| 23. |
University of Central Missouri |
266 |
| 24. |
Monmouth University |
236 |
| 25. |
University of Maryland, Eastern Shore |
114 |