(Sioux City, Iowa) – Midland University totaled 114 votes and are the preseason coaches’ selection to win the 2026 Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Softball Championship. The Warriors tallied six first place votes. Midland advanced to the 2025 NAIA Softball World Series in Columbus, Georgia, and closed the season with a 40-18 record.
Morningside, who went 35-19 last spring, was picked second with 110 votes and three first place votes. Northwestern was voted third with 108 votes and tallied three first place votes as well in the voting.
In 2025 Northwestern claimed the regular season conference championship. The Red Raiders went 20-2 in league play and 48-13 overall. Northwestern also won the conference tournament title, defeating Morningside two games to one in the best of three series.
2026 GPAC Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll:
RANK TEAM VOTES 1st Place Votes
1 MIDLAND 114 6
2 MORNINGSIDE 110 3
3 NORTHWESTERN 108 3
4 DORDT 83
5 CONCORDIA 79
6 DAKOTA WESLEYAN 75
7t HASTINGS 54
7t MOUNT MARTY 54
9 DOANE 52
10 COLLEGE OF SAINT MARY 26
11 BRIAR CLIFF 25
12 WALDORF 12
Northwestern will revamp its team after winning the last three GPAC regular season titles and last two GPAC tournament titles. The Raiders return two All-GPAC performers from last year’s team in First Team outfielder Sydney Jacobs and Second Team infielder Tatum Schmalbeck. Other returners include Jenny Luevano, Cassidy Gors, Berkley Johannsen, and Aly Vortherms. Eight freshman will be represented on the varsity and a transfer in Myla Murphy.
The Raiders will open their season this weekend at the ASB Dome Classic in Sioux Center.
