Women's bowling is ranked seventh in the first National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association (NCBCA) Team Poll of the 2025-26 season released on Friday. The men's squad received votes but not enough to crack into the top 20.
The Lady Lions totaled 574 points to sit just eight points behind Judson University in sixth. Jacksonville State received 14 first place votes and 774 points overall to earn the top spot. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) – Savannah totaled 740 points and eight first place votes for second place. The University of Pikeville claimed the No. 3 spot with 661 points, just three points ahead of Milligan University, a squad that received one first place vote. Mount Mercy University rounded out the top five with 590 points.
Women's bowling wrapped up the fall campaign by finishing second in qualifying at both the Leatherneck Classic in Rockford, Illinois November 8-9 and Team Match Games in Belleville, Illinois November 22-23. The Lady Lions will return to action for the ISBPA Kegel Collegiate Classic January 17-18 in Addison, Illinois.
Purdue University received 12 first place votes and 898 points to earn the top spot in the men's poll. The Boilermakers were followed by Webber International in second with eight first place votes and 856 points. Wichita State was third with five first place votes and 816 points, followed by Newman in fourth with 718 points, and St. Ambrose University in fifth with 620 points.
The Lions were among 13 other teams that received at least two votes in the poll. They will also return to the lanes at the ISBPA Kegel Collegiate Classic in January.
About the NCBCA Team Poll
The NCBCA Coaches' Team Poll is a presentation of the top 20 USBC Collegiate bowling programs determined by the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association (NCBCA). The NCBCA membership includes college bowling coaches, club advisors, tournament directors, and conference officers. Each NCBCA member completes a ballot ranking the top 20 USBC Collegiate programs. On each ballot, the first place team receives 40 points, second place-34 points, third place-30 points, fourth place-28 points, fifth place-26 points, sixth place-24 points, seventh place-22 points, eighth place-20 points, ninth place-18 points, 10th place-16 points, 11th place-14 points, 12th place-12 points, 13th place-10 points, 14th place-eight points, 15th place-six points, 16th place-five points, 17th place-four points, 18th place-three points, 19th place-two points, and 20th place-one point. NCBCA member ballots are tabulated and generate the NCBCA Coaches' Team Poll.
