INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Horizon League released its 2025-26 Women's Basketball Preseason Teams and Preseason Poll Thursday, with Cleveland State graduate student Colbi Maples earning #HLWBB Preseason Player of the Year honors.
 
Maples, who also earned Preseason Player of the Year honors prior to last season, becomes the second Viking all-time to earn the recognition more than once.
 
As the 2023-24 #HLWBB Player of the Year, Maples returns after sitting out the majority of last season due to injury. During her last full season with the Vikings, Maples averaged 16.6 points, 4.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Entering this season, Maples currently stands at 1,071 career points, including 580 that she recorded during her first season with the Vikings.
 
2025-26 HORIZON LEAGUE PRESEASON FIRST TEAM
Colbi Maples, Cleveland State {Preseason Player of the Year}
Aaliyah McQueen, Detroit Mercy
Maddy Skorupski, Green Bay
Mya Meredith, Northern Kentucky
Sophia Gregory, Youngstown State
 
2025-26 HORIZON LEAGUE PRESEASON SECOND TEAM
Jenna Guyer, Green Bay
Kamy Peppler, Green Bay
Jordan Reid, Purdue Fort Wayne
Noa Givon, RMU
Aislin Malcomb, RMU
 
In the 2025-26 Horizon League Preseason Poll, the Vikings were selected to finish fourth, picking up 87 points and one first-place vote.
 
Cleveland State posted its fourth straight 20-win season last year, finishing with a 27-10 record, which culminated in an appearance in the WNIT Fab 4.
 
The Vikings will be under the direction of eighth-year head coach Chris Kielsmeier, who currently owns a 568-186 career record, including 150+ wins during his tenure at Cleveland State, and has guided the Vikings to five straight postseason appearances.
 
2025-26 HORIZON LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL
1.Green Bay (8) – 117
2.RMU (1) – 97
3.Youngstown State (1) – 92
4.Cleveland State (1) – 87
5.Purdue Fort Wayne – 79
6.Northern Kentucky – 70
7.Detroit Mercy – 59
8.Wright State – 47
9.Milwaukee – 29
10.IU Indy – 27
11.Oakland – 22