RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. -- The Great American Conference Preseason Poll was released Thursday. Henderson State was ranked sixth by the league's coaches. 

The Reddies received 70 votes in the poll after finishing .500 in 2024, which was marked by a second consecutive appearance in the conference tournament.

Defending GAC Champion Ouachita Baptist is selected to repeat as champions in 2025. They received 110 votes, just two ahead of second place Harding. Oklahoma Baptist (101), Southwestern Oklahoma State (98), and East Central (75) were chosen ahead of the Reddies. 

Southeastern Oklahoma State, Southern Nazarene, Arkansas Tech, Northwestern Oklahoma State, Southern Arkansas, and Arkansas Monticello rounded out the poll.

HSU returns second team All-GAC selection Katilyn Steffes and honorable mention selection Kaylon Partain from a squad that won three of their final five regular season matches to earn the number eight seed in last year's conference tournament.

The Reddies will begin their season in Nashville, Tennessee on September 4th as part of the Ray Flasher Classic hosted by Trevecca Nazarene. The team's home opener is scheduled for Friday, September 12th as part of the Reddie-Tiger Invitational; HSU will open the tournament against St. Edward's University. GAC conference play begins September 16th, as the Reddies will face Arkansas Tech at the Duke Wells Center.