INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Horizon League announced its 2026-27 #HLWBB Preseason Poll and All-League Awards on Thursday, ranking Oakland fourth in the preseason poll and naming sophomore guard Makenzie Luehring the conference Preseason Player of the Year and to the All-League First Team.

Oakland jumps up seven spots from being ranked 11th in last season's preseason poll. The Golden Grizzlies have one of the most promising rosters in the league, with seven returners from the 2025-26 team, including four starters.

Luehring is looking to follow up one of the most electric freshman seasons in Horizon League history, averaging 18.2 points, 4.1 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting nearly 36% from three and nearly 42% from the field. The reigning conference Freshman of the Year and All-League First Team member ended last season with a Horizon League Championship Tournament record 39 points at Cleveland State, adding to her 10 20-point performances and three 30-point performances on the season.

Layla Gold and Lianna Baxter are big names returning for Oakland at the forward spots. Both players saw action in all 32 games and made big impacts on both sides of the ball, and are poised for big follow-ups in 2026-27. Angie Smith, who averaged 10.3 points last season, also returns for Oakland after missing the final portion of the season with an injury and gives the Golden Grizzlies an elite two-way guard. With other returners like Sereniti Roberts-Adams, Ilris Aworet and Karinna Trotter rounding out the frontcourt, experience is a strength of the team.

What also makes the Golden Grizzlies a fourth-place preseason squad is the influx of new talent. Big freshman signings like guards Cece Bonner and Sheridan Beal provide valuable depth in the backcourt. Oakland also made some big moves in the transfer portal, signing stretch big Berlynn Carlson (via Mount St. Mary's), scoring guard Samone Andrews (via Rochester Christian) and in-conference transfer sharpshooter Ella Riggs (via Purdue Fort Wayne).

The final piece of the puzzle for Oakland is a pair of international additions in Argentinian standouts Milagros Morell and Alessia Reale. Morell, a lanky 6-foot-4 forward, and Reale, a strong guard with a natural feel for the game, both have Argentine national team experience and bring high-level play to an exciting Oakland team.

The Golden Grizzlies continue to trend upward and emerge as a true contender in the conference.

See the full 2026-27 #HLWBB Preseason Poll results below:

2026-27 Under Armour  #HLWBB Preseason Poll
Pl.    Team – Pts.
1.         Green Bay – 142
2.         Youngstown State – 132
3.         RMU – 112
4.         Oakland – 108
5.         IU Indianapolis – 86
6.         Northern Kentucky – 79
7.         Cleveland State – 68
8.         NIU – 54
9.         Detroit Mercy – 51
10.       Milwaukee – 40
11.       Purdue Fort Wayne – 34
12.       Wright State – 30
 
#HLWBB Preseason Player of the Year
Mackenzie Luehring, Oakland
 
Preseason All-League First Team (alphabetical order by school)
Meghan Schultz, Green Bay
Mackenzie Luehring, Oakland
Myriam Traore, RMU
Sarah Baker, Youngstown State
Jada Leonard, Youngstown State
 
Preseason All-League Second Team (alphabetical order by school)
Jorey Buwalda, Green Bay
Elisa Mevius, Green Bay
Maddie Skorupski, Green Bay
Olivia Smith, IU Indianapolis
Neveah Wingate, NIU