INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Oklahoma Christian women's bowling program was selected to finish third in the 2026 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Preseason Poll, the league announced Thursday, Oct. 16.

Maryville, who is preseason ranked No. 10 in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) All-Divisions poll, took the top spot as the preseason favorite with 49 total points and seven first-place nods. No. 15 McKendree claimed the other first-place nod before garnering 42 points while No. 24 OC is third with 38 points.

In the Eagles' inaugural year in the GLVC, they finished as the conference tournament runners-up. The maroon-and-gray head into year two returning All-GLVC Second Team honoree Rhiannon Davis and Honorable Mention Tori Justice.

"We are definitely looking to build on the momentum from year one in the conference," head coach James Hayes said. "It is all about peaking at the right time. I think an important part of that is continuing to build and grow our culture. If we do that then we are going to be competitive when it comes to tournament time."

In addition to Davis and Justice, head coach James Hayes and his staff return three other players from last year's squad. The Eagles will look to replace All-GLVC Tournament selection Shelby Davis with NCAA Division I Stephen F. Austin senior and junior transfers Carlen Gattenby and Matlyn Warner.

No. 24 Oklahoma Christian begins its fall slate in Wichita, Kan. Oct. 18-19 with the Mid-States Championship hosted by Wichita State.


2026 GLVC PRESEASON COACHES POLL
 

Ranking	School	Points (1st-Place Votes)
1	Maryville	49 (7)
2	McKendree	42 (1)
3	Oklahoma Christian	38
4	Newman	29
5	Central Missouri	27
6	Lewis	19
7	Indianapolis	13
8	Quincy	7