Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team is ranked 15th in the Division II Sports Information Directors preseason Top 25 poll.

This is the eighth year for these rankings which are handled by a panel of SID's from around the country. UNK isn't in the WBCA preseason Top 25 poll after finishing ninth in those rankings last March. 

UNK received 164 points to be one of five Central Region teams to be ranked. The others are Central Missouri (4th), Fort Hays State (7th), Minnesota-Duluth (21st) and Southwestern Oklahoma State (24th). Colorado School of Mines, who comes to the Health & Sports Center Nov. 20, is ranked 11th.

The Lopers went 23-4 during the 2020-21 season, winning the MIAA Tournament and reaching the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Carrie Eighmey and her staff lead a veteran squad including 2021 All-MIAA selections Elisa Backes (Salina, Kan.), Brooke Carlson (Elkhorn), Klaire Kirsch (Rapid City, S.D.) and Haley Simental (Pueblo West, Colo.).

The 2021-22 season starts next weekend in Maryville, Mo., with games against Minnesota-Crookston and Southwest Minnesota State.