NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene women's basketball was picked to finish fifth in the 2026-27 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, announced by the conference.
The Nighthawks received one first-place vote and 63 total points, finishing just behind Montana State Billings, which was picked fourth with 68 points. Western Washington was selected as the preseason favorite with four first-place votes and 93 points, followed by Central Washington with four first-place votes and 88 points and Saint Martin's with 73 points.
NNU enters the 2026-27 campaign after finishing 17-10 overall and 12-6 in GNAC play last season. The Nighthawks finished fourth in the conference standings before falling to Western Oregon, 68-67, in the quarterfinals of the GNAC Championships.
Head coach
Steve Steele enters his 11th season leading the Nighthawks. NNU has compiled a 163-99 overall record and a 111-59 mark in conference play during Steele's tenure. He has guided the program to both of its GNAC trophies, earning a share of the regular-season title in 2017-18 before winning the GNAC Championships tournament in 2019.
Western Washington enters the season as the conference favorite after finishing 25-8 overall and 15-3 in GNAC play last season. The Vikings won the GNAC regular-season championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA West Region Championships.
2026-27 GNAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
| Rank |
Team (First-Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1 |
Western Washington (4) |
93 |
| 2 |
Central Washington (4) |
88 |
| 3 |
Saint Martin's |
73 |
| 4 |
Montana State Billings |
68 |
| 5 |
Northwest Nazarene (1) |
63 |
| 6 |
Alaska Anchorage (1) |
61 |
| 7 |
Western Oregon |
44 |
| 8 |
Simon Fraser |
31 |
| 9 |
Seattle Pacific |
28 |
| 10 |
Alaska |
10 |
