CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Luther women's basketball team was voted to finish third in the 2025-26 American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Preseason Poll announced on Wednesday.
Notable returners for the Norse include first-team all-conference selection
Haylie Strum. Along with the conference rookie of the year and second-team all-conference honoree
Natalie Beaver.
Nastya Cicala and
Katie Hardtke also return having played in every game last season.
Amanda Bailey will be at the helm for her 15th season as the head coach of the Norse. "Heading into our last season in the A-R-C, we want to thank the conference for its support and camaraderie over the years," said Bailey. "We are looking forward to growth through competitive conference play before we head to the next chapter of our program."
During the 2024-25 season, the Norse finished 18-9 overall and 10-6 in the A-R-C and reached the conference tournament semifinal.
Luther starts the season at the Wartburg Classic on Friday, Nov. 7 vs Johns Hopkins University at 7 p.m. in Waverly, Iowa.
The first home game will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 5:30 p.m. when the Norse host the University of Northwestern (MN) in the Gerdin Fieldhouse on the Birkestrand Family Court.
2025-26 Preseason Poll – points (first place votes)
- Coe – 64 (8)
- Wartburg – 54 (1)
- Luther – 49
- Simpson – 46
- Central – 30
- Buena Vista – 26
- Dubuque – 24
- Loras – 23
- Nebraska Wesleyan – 8
