MACOMB, IL- The Ohio Valley Conference announced its 2025-26 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll, Returning All-OVC honorees, and Watch List on Tuesday, with Western Illinois earning a third-place ranking. The Leathernecks were represented by junior guard Raegan McCowan, who was named a Returning All-OVC selection, senior forward Mia Nicastro, named a Returning All-OVC Selection,  with senior guards Addi Brownfield and Allie Meadows, who were recognized on the OVC Women's Basketball Watch List.
 

2025 OVC Women's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish

1. Lindenwood (6) - 179

2. Tennessee Tech (12) - 175

3. Western Illinois (4) - 166

4. Southern Indiana - 147

5. Eastern Illinois - 121

6. UT Martin - 117

7. Little Rock - 110

8. Tennessee State - 78

9. Southeast Missouri - 51

10. Morehead State - 33

        SIUE - 33

Head coach JD Gravina shares his thoughts on their placement and awards, "More than anything, media day polls just signal the excitement of basketball season arriving. I can't wait to get things going with this team. When you look at the players getting recognized, the thing that pops out is the amount of experience we have on this team. When you go into a season with 5 kids who have been starters in your program, that means a lot. That's probably the reason we received 4 first-place votes as well. We have a chance to compete at the top level of the OVC."

For the All-Returning OVC players, junior Raegan McCowan made the list. McCowan returns after establishing herself as one of the most impactful players in the 2024-25 season. She led Western Illinois in points with an average of 22.3, shooting 35% from the 3-point line, 79% from free throw, while avg. 7.9 rebounds last year. Defensively, she recorded 11 blocks and added 26 total steals. Her all-around production and consistency earned her All-Returning OVC Player honors, and she looks to build on that success as the centerpiece of the Leatherneck offense and defense in the 2025-26 season.

Senior forward Mia Nicastro was also named to the Returning All-OVC Selection, recording an average of 15.3 points, shooting 30% from the 3-point line, while averaging 85% from the free throw line. She also recorded an average of 7.3 rebounds for the 2024-25 season. 

Addi Brownfield, now a senior, earned a coveted spot on the 2025 OVC Women's Basketball Watch List, giving recognition of both her past contributions and her potential. In the 2024-25 season, Brownfield recorded 17 blocks and 56 steals, while averaging 8.5 points per game.

Allie Meadows, a senior guard, also earned a spot on the 2025 OVC Women's Basketball Watch List, recording an average of 5.3 rebounds and 7.6 points per game during the 2024-25 season. Meadows is expected to have a strong year with the Leathernecks.

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