NAPERVILLE - The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women's bowling preseason coaches' poll was released on Friday, with the Carthage College women's bowling team ranked fourth, receiving a total of 19 points.

The Carthage College women's bowling team will kick off its 2025-26 season on Saturday, October 11, as they travel to Indianapolis, Indiana, for the Western Shootout. The Firebirds' schedule includes 11 regular-season events before moving on to postseason play, featuring two CCIW meets and the USBC Sectionals.

The season begins with three consecutive tournaments scheduled for October and November in the Midwest. Carthage will start at the Western Shootout on October 11 in Indianapolis, followed by the Windy City Classic on October 31 in Des Plaines, Illinois. They will also compete in the Leatherneck Classic on November 8, hosted in Rockford, Illinois, before entering league play at CCIW #1 on November 22 in Milan, Illinois.

In December, the Firebirds will return to Addison, Illinois, for the Warhawk Open on December 6, marking the end of the first half of their schedule before winter break.

Carthage will resume competition in January with back-to-back tournaments in Addison and Lansing. They will participate in the Storm Baker on January 10, followed by the Division III All-Region Invitational on January 23 in Lansing, Michigan, which will be an important test against nationally competitive Division III programs.

February will include three tournaments at three different locations. The Firebirds will head to Lockport, Illinois, for the Flyer Classic on February 6, followed by another CCIW event at the Viking Classic on February 14 in Milan. Carthage will then return to conference action at CCIW #2 on February 28 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where teams will be competing for postseason positioning.

March brings two of the most significant events of the year. The Firebirds will travel to Nashville, Tennessee, for the Music City Classic on March 6, one of the most competitive women's bowling tournaments in the country, featuring teams from multiple NCAA divisions. The regular season will conclude with the USBC Sectionals on March 13, where Carthage aims to secure a spot in the national finals.