NAIA women's basketball coaches poll of Oct. 22, 2025

        NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball was among "others receiving votes" when the NAIA announced Wednesday its preseason coaches poll.
        The Gold Nuggets received 31 points and were 34th among the 50 teams that got votes.
        XULA was 29-4 in 2024-25, tied the school record for victories in a season and became the first Gold Nuggets team to win twice at NAIA nationals. The Gold Nuggets were 22nd in the final poll this past season with a high of 18th Jan. 29.
        XULA was one of three Red River Athletic Conference teams to receive preseason votes. LSU-Shreveport was 22nd, and LSU-Alexandria was 43rd. LSUS will visit XULA Jan. 8.
        Two-time defending national champion Dordt received all 21 first-place votes. Bethel (Tenn.) is No. 2, and Campbellsville is No. 3. Indiana Wesleyan, an 82-73 loser to Dordt in last season's national title game, is No. 10.
        There will be eight national polls this season; the next one will be announced Nov. 12.
        XULA's first five competitions will be:
        •  6 p.m. EDT Oct. 30, an exhibition in Philadelphia at NCAA Division I Drexel [free admission]
        •  6 p.m. Nov. 3 at home against Harris-Stowe at XULA's Convocation Center
        •  2 p.m. Nov. 8 homecoming game/Crosstown Classic against Dillard at the Convocation Center
        •  6 p.m. EST Nov. 14 at Life in the Running Eagles Classic at Marietta, Ga.
        •  1 p.m. EST Nov. 15 against Brewton-Parker Christian in the Running Eagles Classic