KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Days after being selected as the preseason favorite by the Heart of America Athletic Conference coaches, Benedictine Women's Basketball has earned a NAIA Preseason Top 25 ranking.

The Ravens, who open the season on Friday, Oct. 30, on the road before hosting University of St. Mary at 2 p.m. on Oct. 31, will open the season at No. 15.

Benedictine went 24-8 overall last season and are coming off a NAIA National Tournament appearance and a second-place finish in the Heart are the highest-ranked Heart member headed into the new season next week. MNU is two spots behind the Ravens at No. 17 and the duo is the only two programs from the Heart ranked, or receiving votes, to open the season.

Defending National Champions Marian (Ind.) earned the No. 1 ranking, earning 4 first-place votes. Dakota Wesleyan ranks No. 2 with 5 first-place votes, followed by No. 3 Dakota State, No. 4 Bethel (Tenn.) with the remaining 7 first-place votes and Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) round outs the top five at No. 5. The full Top 25 release from the NAIA is available at https://www.naia.org/news/womens-basketball/defending-champions-open-season-as-no-1-in-preseason-naia-womens-basketball-coaches-poll/.

One of the Ravens non-conference opponents is ranked in the Preseason poll and a second is receiving votes. Dordt (Iowa), who the Ravens play over the semester break on Dec. 19 in Sioux Center, Iowa, are ranked No. 7. Evangel, former Heart member, will come to campus on Nov. 6-7 to play in the Holiday Inn Express Classic, are listed in the receiving votes category.

Basketball Season Tickets are available at www.ravenathletics.com/tickets for $85 for the upcoming season. If you, or your business are also interested in partnering with Benedictine Women's Basketball, please check out our Corporate Partnerships available at www.ravenathletics.com/basketballsponsors.

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