Women’s Basketball Ranked In WBCA/USA Today Sports Preseason Poll

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team is ranked in the WBCA/USA Today Sports Preseason Top 25 women's basketball poll for the second straight year. The Spartans come into the 2015-16 season as the 20th ranked team in Division II.

Claiming the top spot in the preseason poll are the Emporia State University Hornets. The Hornets finished the 2014-15 season 29-5 and ended their season in the Final Four. Following Emporia State are Lewis University, California Baptist University, Sunshine State Conference rival Nova Southeastern University, and the defending National Champions California University of Pennsylvania round out the top five.

Tampa faces six teams in the preseason poll, as Nova Southeastern is fourth, Drury University is ranked 11th, and Union University is 13th. University of West Florida, Albany State University and Benedict College are all receiving votes

UT opens its season on Friday, November 13th, as they host the West Florida Argonauts in the Spartan Challenge Tournament. On Saturday, the women face another challenge as they host the 11th ranked Union College Bulldogs.

The USA TODAY Sports committee of coaches is made up of 27 head coaches at Division II institutions. All are members of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).

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