NAPERVILLE — Two of the CCIW’s top returning standouts were recognized among the nation’s best as Illinois Wesleyan’s Ava Bardic and Carroll’s Natalie Gricius were named to the 2025–26 D3hoops.com Preseason All-America Team last week. Bardic, a returning First Team All-CCIW selection, earned Second Team honors, while Gricius was named to the Third Team.
 
A returning First Team All-CCIW pick, Bardic started all 30 games for the Titans while tying for the team-high with 15.0 points per game. The Lincolnshire, Ill. native connected on 46.2 percent of her shots, including 35.5 percent of her three-pointers. Bardic's 60 three-pointers were second-most on the team. She added 71 steals, finishing second on the squad, while pacing the team with 16 rejections. Bardic dished out 73 assists and pulled in 84 rebounds. 
 
Gricius started all 27 games a year ago, averaging 18.2 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 50.4 percent overall and 35 percent from three. Gricius earned WBCA All-America Honorable Mention, D3hoops.com All-Region Second Team, and unanimous First-Team All-CCIW honors.
 
2025-26 D3hoops.com Women's Preseason All-America
Second Team
Ava Bardic, Illinois Wesleyan
 
Third Team
Natalie Gricius, Carroll

Portions of this release courtesy of Illinois Wesleyan, Carroll athletics communications.