SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University women's basketball team was picked to finish fourth in the 2026-27 Crossroads League Preseason Coaches' Poll, while Megan Zeitz and Ashley Weller earned Preseason All-Crossroads League honors, the conference announced Wednesday, Oct. 14.
 
Zeitz was named to the Preseason All-League First Team while Weller earned Second Team recognition.
 
The Cougars received 33 points in the preseason poll, placing fourth behind Saint Francis (14), Marian (18) and Indiana Wesleyan (24). Huntington rounded out the top five with 38 points.
 
Spring Arbor enters the new campaign following one of its most successful seasons in recent history. Under head coach John Williams, the Cougars finished 24-8 overall and 13-5 in Crossroads League play, placing third in the conference standings and advancing to the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship Round of 16. The 24 victories matched the program's highest single-season win total since 1998-99.
 
Zeitz, a junior from Dansville, Michigan, returns after earning First Team All-Crossroads League and All-Defensive Team honors last season. She led SAU in scoring with 13.9 points per game, totaling 432 points while adding 150 rebounds, 82 assists and 80 steals across 31 games.
 
Weller, a junior from Pleasant Lake, Michigan, was a Second Team All-Crossroads League selection a year ago. She averaged 9.1 points per game during the regular season and conference tournament and delivered a team-high 17 points in Spring Arbor's NAIA Round of 16 matchup against Campbellsville.
 
The Cougars open the 2026-27 campaign on Thursday, Oct. 22 at home against Cleary University. Crossroads League play is scheduled to begin Wednesday, Nov. 18.