Taylor Receives Votes in NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll

NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Off to a perfect 8-0 start, the Taylor Trojans are generating national attention after receiving votes in the second edition of the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll, which was released Wednesday by the national office.

TU picked up seven points in the latest poll, with the Trojans represented among a crowded field as one of 23 teams in the receiving votes group outside the top 25 teams. Wednesday's poll announcement marked the first time TU has garnered points in the women's basketball coaches' poll since the Trojans were seated No. 25 in the 2021-2022 preseason vote.

The Trojans are currently riding the program's best start since the 2019-2020 campaign, including the first 2-0 start in league play over the same timeframe.

Coming off an impressive 114-50 victory over Ohio Christian, TU is ranked seventh in the NAIA in scoring with an average clip of 90.6 points per game. The Trojans are outscoring opponents by nearly 24 points (23.8) per outing. TU is ranked third among NAIA team leaders in blocks per game (6.0), 12th in rebounding margin (12.4), and tied for 20th in offensive efficiency (1.065).

Individually, Kaycie Warfel continues to lead the NAIA in scoring with a nightly average of 31.0 points per game. She's also tied for seventh in steals (4.1). The freshman standout earned her fourth CL Player of the Week recognition on Monday, along with teammate Celina Blount as the duo swept the league awards for the second time. Blount averages a double-double on the season with 11.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, while ranking third in the NAIA in blocks per game (3.3).

Additionally, key contributors include Madi Allen, who has six double-digit scoring outings and averages 12.5 points per game, along with Emma Fohl, who is tied for third in the Crossroads League with a team-high 3.9 assists per outing.

TU is one of six Crossroads League teams appearing in the poll including No. 5 Marian, No. 6 Saint Francis, and No. 19 Indiana Wesleyan, which dropped six spots after falling to the undefeated Trojans last Saturday. Huntington and Spring Arbor are receiving votes, as well.

TU returns to league play next Wednesday, when it travels to Bethel for a 5 p.m. tipoff in Mishawaka. The Trojans are back home in Odle Arena on Saturday, Dec. 6, for a 1 p.m. matchup against Goshen.