The William Smith bowling team will start the 2026-27 season ranked No. 10 in the National Tenpin Coaches Association Division II & Division III preseason poll. This will be the program's fifth varsity season and the second time the Herons have been ranked in the preseason poll.
 
William Smith is coming off a 52-32 season, a program record for wins in a season. While the Herons lost three seniors to graduation, including two-time Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Bowler of the Year Michaela Morgan and 2026 All-AMCC first team selection Caitlyn Anschutz, Head Coach Heather Sterner returns five bowlers from last season and welcomes three first-years and a junior transfer to round out the roster.
 
This year's DII/III preseason poll is dominated by Division II teams that occupy eight of the 10 spots. Defending AMCC Champion Saint Vincent is the only other Division III team in the preseason ranking. The Bearcats landed at No. 4 and received one first-place vote.
 
William Smith was first ranked in the preseason poll in 2024-25, when it began its third varsity season No. 7 in the NTCA DII/III preseason poll. That year, the Herons were coming off a 50-23 season that saw them win the 2024 AMCC Championship and compete in the NCAA Championship for the first time.
 
William Smith will open the 2026-27 season this weekend, Oct. 3-4, when it competes in the Mercyhurst Invitational in Erie, Pennsylvania. Last season, the Herons went 6-4 in the Mercyhurst Invitational with two of their losses coming against nationally ranked Division I teams.