MACOMB, Ill.- Western Illinois University women's basketball has earned its first national ranking of the 2025–26 season, checking in at No. 25 in the latest Women's Mid-Major Top 25®, released Tuesday by a panel of Division I head coaches.

The Leathernecks are one of three teams to make their debut in this week's poll, joining Miami (No. 22) and Quinnipiac (No. 24). Western Illinois enters the rankings riding an impressive stretch, having won nine of its last 10 games, with its lone setback coming in a double-overtime battle.

WIU currently owns a 13–2 overall record, one of the best starts in program history, and has emerged as one of the top teams in the mid-major landscape through the first half of the season.

The Women's Mid-Major Top 25® is released every Tuesday throughout the season and is now in its 16th year. The poll is voted on by 31 NCAA Division I head coaches from across the country, led this season by chairman Sean O'Regan of James Madison.

Western Illinois is represented on the voting panel by head coach JD Gravina, further highlighting the program's growing national presence.

The Leathernecks will look to continue their momentum as they move forward in Ohio Valley Conference play and defend their place among the nation's top mid-major programs.

For more information on the Women's Mid-Major Top 25, visit here. 

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