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Women's Basketball

Women’s Basketball Receiving Votes in NAIA Preseason Coaches’ Poll

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland women's basketball is receiving votes in the 2026-27 Gared NAIA Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll, the national office announced.

The Phoenix join six other Mid-South Conference programs recognized in the preseason rankings. Bethel leads the conference at No. 4, followed by Freed-Hardeman at No. 5, Lindsey Wilson at No. 6, Campbellsville at No. 8 and Georgetown at No. 11. The University of the Cumberlands also appears among the teams receiving votes.

Defending national champion Marian (Ind.) holds the No. 1 spot after finishing last season 35-2. Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) and Dakota State (S.D.) follow at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, with Bethel and Freed-Hardeman completing the top five.

Cumberland finished the 2025-26 season with a 15-14 overall record, highlighted by a 14-2 mark against nonconference opponents. The Phoenix averaged 69.3 points and 37.9 rebounds per game while limiting opponents to 64.4 points per contest. 

Cumberland returns an experienced core led by seniors Emaleigh Tarpley and Faith Colston. Tarpley averaged 11.2 points and a team-high 7.9 rebounds while starting all 29 games last season, while Colston contributed 5.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest. Braley Bushman is also expected to play a leading role after ranking second on the team with 11.4 points per game and shooting 41.8 percent from three-point range.

The Phoenix open the 2026-27 campaign Oct. 23 at Central Methodist in Fayette, Mo., before facing William Woods the following day. Cumberland then travels to Winona Lake, Ind., to take on No. 14 Indiana Wesleyan on Oct. 30 and Grace on Oct. 31. Road games at Johnson and Fisk precede the home opener against Life on Nov. 11 at 3:00 p.m. inside Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena.
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Players Mentioned

Faith Colston

#11 Faith Colston

G
5' 7"
Senior
Emaleigh Tarpley

#15 Emaleigh Tarpley

G/F
5' 11"
Senior
Braley Bushman

#1 Braley Bushman

F
5' 10"
Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

Faith Colston

#11 Faith Colston

5' 7"
Senior
G
Emaleigh Tarpley

#15 Emaleigh Tarpley

5' 11"
Senior
G/F
Braley Bushman

#1 Braley Bushman

5' 10"
Redshirt Junior
F