PORTLAND, Ore. (Oct. 14) – The Alaska Anchorage women's basketball team has been picked to finish sixth in the 2025-26 Great Northwest Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll, released Tuesday by the league office.

The Seawolves received 62 points in voting by the league's 10 head coaches, getting narrowly edged by Montana State Billings (64) and Northwest Nazarene (63) for fourth and fifth places. Western Washington (90 pts, 5 first-place votes) was picked over rival Central Washington (89/4) by a razor-thin margin atop the poll, while Saint Martin's (72) was tabbed third.

The defending GNAC regular-season and tournament champion, UAA begins a new era in 2025-26 under head coach Matt Thune. The Seawolves returns only one letterwinner – senior guard Elaina Mack – from a team that went 28-5 overall and 16-2 in the GNAC, while welcoming six transfers, four true freshmen and returning redshirt freshman guard Kiara Stone.

The Seawolves debut Nov. 7-8 with home games against Northwest University at the Alaska Airlines Center. Surf to GoSeawolves.com for tickets, full schedule, roster and more.

2025-26 Great Northwest Athletic Conference
Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rk. Team (1st-place votes)   '24-25  Conf.(Pl.) Pts
 1. Western Washington (5)   18-11   12-6 (4th)  90
 2. Central Washington (4)   23-8    14-4 (t2nd) 89
 3. Saint Martin's           18-11   9-9  (6th)  72
 4. Montana St. Billings (1) 25-8    14-4 (t2nd) 64
 5. Northwest Nazarene       16-12   10-8 (5th)  63
 6. Alaska Anchorage         28-5    16-2 (1st)  62
 7. Simon Fraser             14-13   7-11 (7th)  42
 8. Western Oregon           9-17    5-13 (8th)  32
 9. Seattle Pacific          8-23    2-16 (9th)  24
10. Alaska Fairbanks         6-20    1-17 (10th) 12