INDIANAPOLIS-  The Greyhound women's basketball team is ranked sixth in the 2010-11 Division II Bulletin  Preseason Poll, released this week. Arkansas Tech is the preseason favorite, coming off of an Elite Eight appearance last season.

UIndy (26-4 in 2010-11) enters the season with six returning letterwinners from its squad a year ago. Head Coach LeAnn Freeland has also added nine newcomers to her team, which made it's third-consecutive NCAA appearance last season.

"The pre-season national ranking is a great honor for UIndy Women's Basketball and a tribute to our past players who have set the standard for our program," Freeland said.  "We have a lot to prove this season with nine newcomers on our squad, including eight freshmen.  Our six returners have provided great leadership to our newcomers by teaching them what it takes to be a national contender.  The ladies have been working extremely hard during our preseason workouts and hope to prove the national ranking is deserved."

Three Midwest region teams appear in the preseason poll, led by the the Greyhounds in the six-spot. GLVC-foe Drury was picked 15th, and Grand Valley State was named 20th. Among the other notables in the poll include defending national-champion Emporia State (23), national finalist Fort Lewis (18), Elite Eight participants Seattle Pacific (13) and Tusculum (3). Three other GLVC opponents are named in the "others to watch," with Southern Indiana, Northern Kentucky and Wisconin-Parkside making the cut.
 
The Greyhounds ended the season ranked 14th in the USA Today/ESPN/Women's Basketball Coaches Association Division II Final Poll.  The full Division II Bulletin 2009-10 Preseason Poll is below. Copies of the publication can be ordered at smallcollegehoops.com.

The 2010 Women's Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25:

Others to watch: Carson-Newman, Concordia, Augustana, Findlay, So. Indiana, No. Kentucky, Wis.-Parkside, Humboldt St., West. Washington, Grand Canyon, Bridgeport, Millersville, Indiana (Pa.), Fort Valley St., Benedict