LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kutztown softball enters the 2026 season nationally ranked in the NFCA/GoRout DII national poll for the first time since 2023, as KU appears 16th.
 
The Golden Bears finished last season with a 43-19 overall record and 21-11 mark in the PSAC. The 43 victories is the most in a single season since 2012. They were NCAA Regional champions for the second straight season and third in the last four, advancing to the Super Regionals. The Maroon and Gold earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive season and 23rd time in program history.
 
KU finished 2025 ranked 14th in the final poll, but was unranked entering that season. There are 14 members returning from last season's squad, including All-Region and All-PSAC East performers Emily Henn (Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley) and Haley Gravish (Hamburg, Pa./Hamburg), along with All-PSAC East selections Morgan Slomkowski (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) and Alexa Stevens (Jefferson Township, Pa./North Pocono).
 
The 2026 NFCA/GoRout Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by the NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll Committee. The committee consists of 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the NCAA's eight regions. The first poll of the regular season will be announced on Tuesday, Feb. 10 and every Tuesday at noon ET throughout the 2026 season.
 
Kutztown's 2026 regular season begins at the UNC Pembroke Invitational on the weekend of Friday, Jan. 30 through Sunday, Feb. 1. KU takes on the host Braves in the first game that Friday at 10 a.m. Felician and Davis & Elkins are the two other teams competing.