GOLDEN SUNS BASKETBALL RANKED 20TH IN WOMEN'S
DIVISION II BULLETIN PRESEASON TOP 25 POLL

        BEAVERTON, Oregon – Arkansas Tech Women’s Basketball is ranked 20th in the Women’s NCAA Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25 Poll that was released on Friday.

The Women’s Division II Bulletin, which has been published since 1993, is the leading publication covering Division II women’s basketball in the country.

Tech, who returns three starters, including senior forward Amanda Grappe (Benton, Ark.), who was named a Women’s Division II Bulletin Honorable Mention All-American selection last season and six letterwinners from last season’s 26-6 squad that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II South Regional, was one of three Gulf South Conference schools ranked in this year’s preseason poll and one of four schools ranked from the South Region.

In addition to Tech, Delta State (33-1 last season), who is ranked No. 12 and West Georgia (25-5 last season), who is ranked 24th, are the other two GSC schools ranked. Nova Southeastern (24-7 last season), who is in the South Regional with Tech and the other GSC schools, is ranked 23rd in the preseason Women’s D-II Bulletin Poll.

Northern Kentucky, the defending NCAA D-II National Champion, opens the season as the No. 1 team as the Lady Norse finished with a 28-8 record in 2007-08. California [PA] (27-7 last season) is ranked second and is followed by West Texas A&M (26-5 last season) at No. 3. Franklin Pierce (27-5 last season) and Alaska-Anchorage (30-5 last season) round out the Top 5 at Nos. 4 and 5 respectively.

Washburn (26-7 last season) begins the next five at No. 6 and is followed by Michigan Tech (23-8 last season) at No. 7 and Tusculum (26-5 last season) at No. 8. Stonehill (27-5 last season) is ranked ninth and Drury (27-3 last season) rounds out the Top 10 at No. 10.

The next 10 begins with Indiana [PA] (27-5) at No. 11, while Delta State is 12th and Wingate [NC] (26-8) begins the season ranked 13th.

Central Oklahoma (24-8 last season) is ranked 14th and is followed by Hillsdale [MI] (23-5 last season) at No. 15, Holy Family (32-1) at No. 16 and Augustana [SD] (22-9 last season) at No. 17. Emporia State (23-8 last season) is ranked No. 18, while USC-Aiken (20-8 last season) is 19th and Tech rounds out the Top 20 at No. 20.

Clayton State (20-11 last season) begins the final five at No. 21, while Nebraska-Kearney (27-7 last season) is ranked 22nd and Nova Southeastern is at No. 23. West Georgia and Shepherd (24-7 last season round out the preseason poll at Nos. 24 and 25 respectively.

Tech, who opens up preseason practice on Wednesday, Oct. 15, will play its only exhibition game on Sunday, Nov. 9 at Missouri State. The Golden Suns will open its 31st season of competition on Saturday, Nov. 15 at home against Midwestern State. Tip-off for the season opener is set for 4 p.m. at Tucker Coliseum.

           -- Tech Athletics --