Photo by: Ellie Reynolds
RedHawks Picked Second in MAC Coaches Preseason Poll
10/20/2026 9:59:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CLEVELAND, Ohio – After capturing both the MAC Regular Season Championship, as well as the Conference Tournament Championship last season, the RedHawks were picked second in the 2026-27 preseason coaches poll. Amber Tretter was named to the Preseason All-MAC First Team, while newcomer Julianna LaMendola earned second-team honors. Miami is coming of a historic season, capturing 28 wins, a pair of MAC titles and a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008.
Tretter enters her senior season with 1,152 career points (21st in program history), 788 career rebounds (7th in program history) and is on pace to become just the second women's basketball player to record 1,000 career points and rebounds.
Lamendola joins the RedHawks after averaging 11.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest last season at Grand Canyon. Lamendola, who began her career at Indiana, has played in 92 career games.
2026-27 MAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Ball State (5) – 111 points
2. Miami (4) – 108 points
3. UMass (1) – 103 points
4. Toledo (2) – 98 points
5. Ohio – 75 points
6. Eastern Michigan – 61 points
7. Kent State– 59 points
8. Bowling Green – 50 points
9. Central Michigan – 44 points
10. Western Michigan – 37 points
11. Akron – 27 points
12. Buffalo – 19 points
Tournament Champion: Ball State – 4; Toledo – 4; Miami – 3; UMass – 1
2026-27 MAC Women's Basketball Preseason All-MAC Teams
First Team
Kendall Carruthers, Toledo
Yahmani McKayle, UMass
Bailey Tabeling, Ohio
Tessa Towers, Ball State
Amber Tretter, Miami
Second Team
Faith Fedd-Robinson, Toledo
Peyton Hill, Eastern Michigan
Grace Kingery, Ball State
Julianna Lamendola, Miami
Jyah LoVett, Toledo
Aniya Rowe, Buffalo
Tretter enters her senior season with 1,152 career points (21st in program history), 788 career rebounds (7th in program history) and is on pace to become just the second women's basketball player to record 1,000 career points and rebounds.
Lamendola joins the RedHawks after averaging 11.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest last season at Grand Canyon. Lamendola, who began her career at Indiana, has played in 92 career games.
2026-27 MAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Ball State (5) – 111 points
2. Miami (4) – 108 points
3. UMass (1) – 103 points
4. Toledo (2) – 98 points
5. Ohio – 75 points
6. Eastern Michigan – 61 points
7. Kent State– 59 points
8. Bowling Green – 50 points
9. Central Michigan – 44 points
10. Western Michigan – 37 points
11. Akron – 27 points
12. Buffalo – 19 points
Tournament Champion: Ball State – 4; Toledo – 4; Miami – 3; UMass – 1
2026-27 MAC Women's Basketball Preseason All-MAC Teams
First Team
Kendall Carruthers, Toledo
Yahmani McKayle, UMass
Bailey Tabeling, Ohio
Tessa Towers, Ball State
Amber Tretter, Miami
Second Team
Faith Fedd-Robinson, Toledo
Peyton Hill, Eastern Michigan
Grace Kingery, Ball State
Julianna Lamendola, Miami
Jyah LoVett, Toledo
Aniya Rowe, Buffalo
Players Mentioned
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