KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Following an unbeaten start to the 2025-26 season, Montana Tech's women's basketball team jumped to No. 21 in the NAIA coaches' top 25 poll, the NAIA office announced Wednesday. 

It is the first time the Orediggers have ever been ranked in the top 25, according to NAIA online records. That database dates back to 1995. 

Montana Tech is off to a 4-0 start on the season with victories over Southern Oregon, College of Idaho, Walla Walla, and Whitworth. 

The Orediggers have done it with stifling defense and yeoman's work on the boards. They rank third in the NAIA in fewest personal fouls per game (10.8), 11th in rebound margin (+16.3), 17th in points allowed per game (51.0), and 20th in rebounds per game (48.5). 

Tech joins a plethora of Frontier Conference teams in the poll. Dakota State led the way at No. 5, followed by No. 14 Carroll, and No. 17 Rocky Mountain. Defending league champion Providence also received votes. 

Montana Tech will have the weekend off before putting its unblemished record on the line with the start of conference play Friday, November 21 at Mayville State. The whistle blows in MSU's Lewy Lee Fieldhouse at 5 p.m. Central, 4 p.m. Mountain time.

Visit Montana Tech athletics' home online, GoDiggers.com, anytime for up-to-the-minute news and coverage of the Orediggers. Give Montana Tech athletics a like on Facebook, and follow the Orediggers on X and Instagram at @DiggerAthletics

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