ARLINGTON, Texas – For the second year in a row, the UT Arlington women's basketball team was selected to finish third in the Western Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll, as released by the league office on Wednesday morning.
 
Receiving one first place vote, the Lady Mavs were selected to finish third overall in the conference behind Abilene Christian and California Baptist.
 
The Lady Mavs return six players from last year's squad and welcome seven newcomers, blending veteran experience with Power 4 talent to form a deep and versatile roster ready to compete in the WAC.
 
UTA is coming off their best-ever regular season and tournament finish during their WAC tenure, entering the tourney as the third overall seed before falling in the WAC Championship game to the top-seeded Grand Canyon Lopes.
 
UTA competed in the WNIT for the first time since 2019 and fifth time in program history. The Lady Mavs made history by picking up their second ever postseason victory when they defeated Incarnate Word before eventually falling to North Texas.
 
As a whole, the Lady Mavs went 18-14 with a 10-6 record in the WAC. At home, UTA was dominant — going 12-1 (.923) inside College Park Center — the program's best home record winning percentage since moving into the arena in 2012.
 
2025-26 WAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll

Rank	Team (1st-Place Votes)	Points
1.	Abilene Christian (2)	32
2.	California Baptist (4)	31
3.	UT Arlington (1)	25
4.	Utah Valley	23
5.	Tarleton State	18
6.	Utah Tech	12
7.	Southern Utah	6

 
2025-26 WAC Preseason Player of the Year: 
Payton Hull, Jr., G, Abilene Christian
 
2025-26 Preseason All-WAC Team
Payton Hull, Jr., G, Abilene Christian
Meredith Mayes, Jr., C, Abilene Christian
Khloe Lemon, Jr., G, California Baptist
Jakoriah Long, Sr., G, Tarleton State
Amanda Barcello, R-Sr., G/F, Utah Valley
 
UTA opens the regular season on the road at Houston on Tuesday, Nov. 4, before returning to the CPC for the home opener against Missouri State on Friday, Nov. 7, with tipoff slated for 6:30 p.m. The theme for the night is Battle of the Greeks.
 
Season tickets are on sale now starting at just $50 for all 13 home games at the state-of-the-art College Park Center.
 
Secure your season tickets today at UTATickets.com.
 
Courtside seating is also available through the Maverick Club, featuring one row along each baseline (excluding team benches). For more information, contact Emma Hudspeth, Director of the Maverick Club, at emma.hudspeth@uta.edu or call 817-272-3856.
   
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