EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Ohio Valley Conference released its 2025-26 Women's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish Tuesday morning at the league's annual Media Day.
The poll, voted on by OVC head coaches and sports information directors, placed Little Rock in seventh place with 110 points, just seven behind sixth-place UT Martin. Lindenwood was picked to win the conference with 179 points, followed closely by Tennessee Tech (175) and Western Illinois (166) rounding out the top three.
"That's about what I expected," said Little Rock head coach
Steve Wiedower. "In the current climate of college basketball, every team looks different each year. I ranked teams based on how many returning players they had because you don't always know what new players can do. We have 10 newcomers this season, and I'm sure people based their votes on that. But our goal never changes — we're here to compete for a conference championship every year."
One of Wiedower's three returning players is among the best in the league. Graduate guard
Jordan Holman, a returning Second-team All-OVC performer, will anchor a talented group of newcomers. The Hugo, Okla., native 13.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
Junior guard
Mya Cotto, who represented Little Rock at Media Day, is one of the OVC Players to Watch this season. The 5-10 Denver, Colo. native led Murray (Okla.) State College in scoring last year, earning Region 2 Newcomer of the Year honors while leading her team to a 28-4 record and an NJCAA Tournament berth.
Sophomore post
Destinee Salgado, a 6-2 transfer from Iona, is also expected to make an impact in the paint and joins Cotto on the OVC Players to Watch list.
Senior guard
Alaina Payne (Fort Worth, Texas) will look to expand her role in her final season after appearing in 29 games with two starts last year. Sophomore guard
Brenna Burk (Russellville, Ark.) is another returner looking to contribute more minutes after playing in 30 games as a freshman.
"We're excited about this team," Wiedower added. "They've come together really well since the summer, and every week you can see their confidence and chemistry improving."
The Trojans will tip off the season at 6 p.m. Friday night with an exhibition game against Arkansas Pine-Bluff at the Jack Stephens Center. Full schedule and ticket information are available at LRTrojans.com.
2025-26 OVC Women's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
1. Lindenwood (6) - 179
2. Tennessee Tech (12) - 175
3. Western Illinois (4) - 166
4. Southern Indiana - 147
5. Eastern Illinois - 121
6. UT Martin - 117
7. Little Rock - 110
8. Tennessee State - 78
9. Southeast Missouri - 51
10. Morehead State - 33
SIUE - 33
OVC Women's Basketball Returning All-OVC
Ellie Brueggemann, Jr., Lindenwood
Brooke Coffey, Jr., Lindenwood
Jordan Holman, Gr., Little Rock
Reghan Grimes, Sr., Tennessee Tech
Kenley McCarn, R-Jr., UT Martin
Raegan McCowan, Jr., Western Illinois
Mia Nicastro, Sr., Western Illinois
2025 OVC Women's Basketball Watch List
Lalani Ellis, G, Jr. - Eastern Illinois
Meioshe Mason, C, R-Jr. - Eastern Illinois
Mya Skoff, G, Jr. - Lindenwood
Gracy Wernli, G, Jr. - Lindenwood
Mya Cotto, G, Jr. - Little Rock
Destinee Salgado, F, So. - Little Rock
Laura Toffali, G, Sr. - Morehead State
Marie Sepp, G, Sr. - Morehead State
Lexi McCully, G, Gr. - Southeast Missouri
Ainaya Williams, C, So. - Southeast Missouri
Macy Silvey, G, Sr. - SIUE
Jaiden Bryant, G, Sr. - SIUE
Ali Saunders, G, Sr. - Southern Indiana
Chloe Gannon, F/C, Jr. - Southern Indiana
Somah Kamara, G, So. - Tennessee State
Erin Martin, F, So. - Tennessee State
Chloe Larry, PG, So. - Tennessee Tech
Reagan Hurst, G, Gr. - Tennessee Tech
Norah Clark, F, Jr. - UT Martin
Addi Brownfield, G, Sr. – Western Illinois
Allie Meadows, G, Sr. – Western Illinois
