=========== 2025-26 NCAA Women's Power Rankings: Post-Invites EditionAs we move into the second semester's dual meets, which restart at scale next week, it's time to evaluate where teams stand and where they're headed mid-season. These rankings were heavily informed, though not dictated by,
the mid-season scoring exercise.
#12. USC Trojans -1 (Previous Rank: 12)
#11: Alabama Crimson Tide +5 (Previous Rank: 16)
#10: Florida Gators -- (Previous Rank: 10)
#9.Tennessee Volunteers -3 (Previous Rank: =6)
#8. NC State Wolfpack -3 (Previous Rank: 5)
#7. Louisville Cardinals +1 (Previous Rank: 8)
#6. California Golden Bears -2 (Previous Rank: 4)
Cal famously does not taper for midseasons, and that seems to be the case again this year. Weinstein and O'Dell have been headliners, but Mia West is on fire and is poised to 'A' final in multiple events at NCAAs after not earning an invite last year. M.F. #5: Indiana Hoosiers +1 (Previous Rank: =6)
Indiana is "only" 7th in our mid-season scoring for NCAA Championships, but that's just 11.5 points behind 5th-place Cal. Given that Alex Shackell will be joining the team for post-season action, and that diving isn't accounted for in these rankings, they could be right on par with Michigan, who currently sits 116 points ahead. Shackell's individual contributions, relay impact, and the addition of diving points should put the Hoosiers right in the thick of things for another top-four finish. S.G. #4: Michigan Wolverines +4 -- (Previous Rank: 8)
The Michigan women sit 4th in our mid-season scoring of the NCAA Championships with a comfortable 105-point cushion over fifth-place California. Cal doesn't rest much for midseason, so they're likely to close that gap, and Indiana has Alex Shackell plus big diving points not included in the rankings. Nonetheless, a top-six finish at the very least seems imminent for the Wolverines, and if they replicate the momentum from their exceptional midseason performances, top four is certainly attainable. S.G. #3: Texas Longhorns -- (Previous Rank: 3)Texas looked great at midseasons with Eva Okaro continuing to make her mark (further supported by a strong performance at SC Euros) and Jillian Cox reminding everyone who the reigning 500 and 1650 NCAA champion is. They were also missing Gemmell in full capacity, which will give them a boost when she returns. They have the depth and a strong diving program to challenge, Stanford and Virginia just seem so strong at this point. M.F. #2: Stanford Cardinal
-- (Previous Rank: 2)
You know that scene in Friends when Joey is eating the beef trifle and is saying good after each ingredient? That's how the Stanford women's team feels right now. Lucy Bell? Good. Caroline Bricker? Good. Torri Huske? GOOD. The Cardinal are deep and performing well. If anyone looks poised to challenge Virginia, it's them. M.F. #1. Virginia Cavaliers --
(Previous Rank: 1)Virginia performed well at the CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge. Anna Moesch look good, Aimee Canny looked good, they just seem unstoppable for the moment. A.P. ===========Note: Of the 7 writers on the voting panel, 2 ranked Cal at #4, 4 ranked Cal at #6, and 1 ranked Cal at #7,
