INDIANA, Pa. – Coming off a historic run to the NCAA Division II National Championship game, IUP women's basketball will enter the 2026-27 season ranked among the nation's best.

The Crimson Hawks were ranked No. 4 in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association preseason coaches poll, released Tuesday.

IUP is coming off a historic 2025-26 campaign that included PSAC and Atlantic Region championships before advancing to the national championship game. The Crimson Hawks' postseason run came to an end against Grand Valley State in the title game.

IUP returns three starters from its national runner-up squad in Teresa Maggio, Marin Miller and Belle Bosch. All three started more than 30 games during last season's run and provide the Crimson Hawks with an experienced core entering the new campaign.

Maggio returns after leading IUP offensively at 15.3 points per game while shooting better than 40% from 3-point range. Miller started all 35 games and delivered one of the biggest shots of IUP's postseason run, knocking down the game-winning 3-pointer in the Atlantic Region championship. Bosch also started 33 games and shot 50% from the field.

The returning group will be joined by several new faces, with IUP welcoming six transfers and two freshmen to the roster for the 2026-27 season.

The preseason poll also features several familiar opponents near the top of the national rankings. Defending national champion Grand Valley State and Holy Family both sit inside the top 10 after facing IUP during last season's Elite Eight run.

Winston-Salem State, which IUP defeated in the Atlantic Region championship game, enters the season ranked No. 8 nationally.

The No. 4 preseason ranking sets the stage for another highly anticipated season for the Crimson Hawks following the deepest NCAA Tournament run in program history.