Marshall University Athletics
Meredith Maier Named to 2025-26 Preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team
10/20/2025 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Herd picked eighth in SBC Preseason Coaches Poll
NEW ORLEANS - Marshall Women's Basketball senior forward Meredith Maier has been named to the 2025-26 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Third Team, the league office announced Monday.
Maier returns to Marshall for a fourth and final season with the Herd after a career year in 2024-25. As a junior, she set new single-season career-highs in points (330), rebounds (158), steals (48) and assists (47). Maier scored a career-high 25 points against NKU in a game last November. The Fairmont, West Virginia native made 76 3-Pointers, finishing second in the conference and second-most in a single season in program history.Â
Maier is one of eight returners as the Herd looks to build on its record-setting postseason under now second-year head coach, Juli Fulks.Â
"Meredith is a constant competitor who is always striving to find ways to help our team be successful," Coach Fulks said. "I've been especially impressed with the work she put in this past offseason and believe she will have a significant impact throughout the season and in SBC play. We're excited to see her recognized as All-Conference and look forward to her continued growth on and off the court."
At Marshall Basketball's Media Day last week, Maier said, "There is a sense of urgency because this is my last year. Now that I have been in Coach Fulks' system for a year I know what it takes, things I can teach other players, and lead by example."
As a team, the Herd was picked 8th in the Preseason Coaches Poll. Defending regular season champions JMU were tabbed as the favorites.
The entire 2025-26 SBC Women's Basketball Preseason Awards and Poll are attached below.
2025-26 Sun Belt Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Awards
Preseason Player of the Year:
Peyton McDaniel, James Madison [R-Sr. | G | Birdsboro, Pa.]
Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team
En'Dya Buford, Old Dominion [Gr. | G | Memphis, Tenn.]
Zay Dyer, Troy [Sr. | F | Atlanta, Ga.]
Jakayla Johnson, Southern Miss [Gr. | G | Clinton, Miss]
Peyton McDaniel, James Madison [R-Sr. | G | Birdsboro, Pa.]
Crislyn Rose, Arkansas State [Jr. | G | Sachse, Texas]
Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team
Ashanti Barnes, James Madison [Gr. | F | Norfolk, Va.]
Crystal Henderson, Georgia State [Jr. | G | Marietta, Ga.]
Rachel Leggett, Troy [Sr. | G | Navarre, Fla.]
Zyion Shannon, Arkansas State [Sr. | G | Smyrna, Tenn.]
Kristin Williams, Coastal Carolina [Gr. | G | San Diego, Calif.]
Preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team
Ashley Baez, Troy [Sr. | G | Dominican Republic]
Simone Cunningham, Old Dominion [Sr. | G | Pleasant Grove, Ala.]
Meredith Maier, Marshall [Sr. | F | Fairmont, W.Va.]
Elena Pericic, App State [Sr. | F | Rijeka, Croatia]
Meloney Thames, Southern Miss [Gr. | G | Philadelphia, Miss.]
2025-26 Sun Belt Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. James Madison (9) – 189
2. Arkansas State (3) – 174
3. Troy (1) – 171
4. Old Dominion (1) – 151
5. Southern Miss – 125
6. Coastal Carolina – 104
7. Georgia State – 102
8. Marshall – 100
9. App State – 94
10. Georgia Southern – 73
11. Louisiana – 67
12. Texas State – 55
13. ULM – 36
14. South Alabama – 29
Parentheses indicate first-place votes
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