Northwest Missouri State was picked to finish ninth in the MIAA's preseason coaches poll.
The Bearcats will fly under the radar as the 2026 campaign gets underway after finishing 22-27 and missing the conference tournament in 2025.
This spring marks year five for Northwest under head coach Naomi Tellez. Tellez has guided the 'Cats to three straight 20-plus win seasons. She will be aided by first-year assistant coach, and for All-MIAA outfielder, Lillie Filger.
Senior outfielders Omara Love and Alexis Brown are the top returning hitters. Love posted a .366 average with two home runs and 35 RBIs last season. Brown hit .349 and drove in 20.
The pitching staff returns four of six arms from 2025, anchored by senior Jadyn Streigle. The Knoxville, IA native has been durable throughout her career, and is just 36 innings away from cracking the top 10 most innings pitched in program history. Streigle is also 27 strikeouts shy of top 10 punchouts all-time at Northwest. She is already tied for 10th in career wins.
The Bearcats begin the season Friday, January 30 in Mansfield, TX against Drury. The first home game is scheduled for March 11 against Minnesota State Moorhead.
