The Illinois Springfield softball team was picked fifth in the 2026 Great Lakes Valley Conference preseason coaches' poll, as announced Wednesday by the league office.
UIS totaled 143 points in the poll, placing fifth overall in a competitive GLVC field. The Prairie Stars were among a tightly grouped middle tier of teams following preseason favorite Indianapolis, which led the poll with 189 points and 11 first-place votes.
UIS is coming off a historic 2025 season that saw the Prairie Stars make a run to the GLVC Championship game for the first time since 2012. Entering the tournament as the No. 5 seed, UIS opened with a 7-2 victory over McKendree before falling to top-seeded Drury. The Prairie Stars rebounded with wins over Maryville and Missouri S&T to advance to the conference title game.
In the championship final, UIS held an early lead and remained locked in a tight contest before ultimately falling 2-1 to Indianapolis. The run marked the program's first appearance in the GLVC title game under 11th-year head coach Shannon Guthrie.
Leading the Prairie Stars in 2026 is record-setting pitcher Rosie Bartletti, a First Team All-GLVC honoree and GLVC All-Tournament Team selection who returns after a dominant season in the circle. Bartletti logged 189 innings, struck out 236 batters, and posted a 2.36 ERA while anchoring the UIS pitching staff. Also returning is All-Tournament selection Olivia DeLuca, along with key offensive contributors Bailey Masching and Koral Keehner. Nine newcomers, including three transfers, also look to contribute.
UIS returns a roster built on speed, aggressive baserunning, and defensive pressure, with Bartletti providing a proven presence at the top of the rotation.
The Prairie Stars will open the 2026 season on Friday, Jan. 30, against Roosevelt in Rosemont, Ill. GLVC play begins March 13 with a road series at Quincy.
Indianapolis led the poll, followed by Drury, McKendree, and Lewis, with UIS rounding out the top five in the preseason rankings.
The complete 2026 GLVC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll is listed below.
| Place | School | Points (1st-Place Votes) |
| 1. | Indianapolis | 189 (11) |
| 2. | Drury | 170 (2) |
| 3. | McKendree | 166 (1) |
| 4. | Lewis | 159 (1) |
| 5. | Illinois Springfield | 143 |
| 6. | Maryville | 140 |
| 7. | Missouri S&T | 107 |
| 8. | Truman State | 104 |
| 9. | Rockhurst | 103 |
| 10. | Missouri-St. Louis | 86 |
| 11. | Southwest Baptist | 62 |
| 12. | Lincoln | 43 |
| William Jewell | 43 | |
| 14. | Upper Iowa | 34 |
| 15. | Quincy | 26 |