By: Ace Hunt
SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. — The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College women's basketball team is preparing for a new campaign as the River States Conference released its 2026-27 preseason coaches' poll Wednesday, with the Pomeroys selected 10th in the 10-team league.
SMWC received 12 points in the voting as the Pomeroys look to establish momentum and exceed preseason expectations throughout the upcoming season.
Rio Grande topped the poll with 78 points and seven first-place votes, narrowly edging Midway, which received 75 points and three first-place votes. IU Southeast followed in third with 63 points, while Brescia (54) and IU East (46) rounded out the top five.
IU Kokomo (42), WVU Tech (40), IU Columbus (21) and Kentucky Christian (19) completed the rankings ahead of SMWC.
The Pomeroys will open their 2026-27 season Friday, Oct. 23, welcoming Ohio Christian University to the Jeanne Knoerle Sports and Recreation Center for a 6 p.m. tipoff.
Following the season opener, SMWC travels to Governors State on Oct. 29 and Northwestern Ohio on Nov. 3 before returning home to face Huntington on Nov. 7.
One of the early highlights of the schedule comes Monday, Nov. 9, when the Pomeroys host crosstown rival Rose-Hulman in the Crosstown Classic. The 7 p.m. contest at the Jeanne Knoerle Sports and Recreation Center provides an opportunity for SMWC to renew its local rivalry in front of the home crowd.
River States Conference play begins Thursday, Nov. 12, when the Pomeroys travel to Owensboro, Kentucky, for a 6 p.m. CT matchup against Brescia, which was selected fourth in the preseason poll.
The November schedule also includes a trip to Crowley's Ridge on Nov. 14 and a home contest against Greenville on Nov. 17.
Following a Dec. 1 road game at the University of the Cumberlands, SMWC returns to conference action Dec. 5 at IU East before beginning a stretch of four consecutive home games.
The Pomeroys host Calumet College of St. Joseph on Dec. 11 and Alice Lloyd on Dec. 12 before welcoming IU Kokomo on Dec. 16 for their RSC home opener. A marquee conference matchup follows Dec. 19 when SMWC hosts preseason runner-up Midway at 3 p.m.
SMWC closes its pre-holiday schedule Dec. 21 against IU South Bend before returning to conference action Jan. 5 at IU Columbus.
The Pomeroys face preseason favorite Rio Grande on the road Jan. 9 and will welcome the RedStorm to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for the rematch Feb. 6.
The second half of the conference schedule features home matchups against Brescia on Jan. 19, WVU Tech on Jan. 21, Kentucky Christian on Jan. 28 and IU East on Feb. 2.
SMWC will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 13, when the Pomeroys host IU Columbus at 3 p.m. in their final scheduled regular-season home contest.
The regular season concludes Feb. 20 with a road matchup at Midway.
The River States Conference Women's Basketball Tournament begins Feb. 24, with the top eight teams in the final conference standings qualifying for postseason play. The top four seeds will host quarterfinal contests, followed by the semifinals Feb. 27 and championship game March 2.
With a slate featuring local rivalries, challenging nonconference matchups and opportunities against the league's preseason favorites, the Pomeroys will look to build throughout the season and position themselves for postseason competition.
2026-27 River States Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
- Rio Grande — 78 points (7 first-place votes)
- Midway — 75 points (3)
- IU Southeast — 63 points
- Brescia — 54 points
- IU East — 46 points
- IU Kokomo — 42 points
- WVU Tech — 40 points
- IU Columbus — 21 points
- Kentucky Christian — 19 points
- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods — 12 points
Key Dates on the 2026-27 SMWC Women's Basketball Schedule
- Oct. 23: vs. Ohio Christian — Season/Home Opener, 6 p.m.
- Nov. 9: vs. Rose-Hulman — Crosstown Classic, 7 p.m.
- Nov. 12: at Brescia — RSC Opener, 6 p.m. CT
- Dec. 16: vs. IU Kokomo — RSC Home Opener, 6 p.m.
- Dec. 19: vs. Midway — Preseason RSC Runner-Up, 3 p.m.
- Jan. 9: at Rio Grande — Preseason RSC Favorite, 3 p.m.
- Feb. 6: vs. Rio Grande — RSC Home Contest, 3 p.m.
- Feb. 13: vs. IU Columbus — Senior Day, 3 p.m.
- Feb. 20: at Midway — Regular-Season Finale, 3 p.m.
- Feb. 24: RSC Tournament Quarterfinals — TBD
For the complete schedule, live statistics and broadcast information, visit SMWCathletics.com.
