BEAVERTON, Ore. – The Fort Lewis College women's basketball team, which advanced to the 2010 NCAA Division II championship game, is ranked No. 18 in the Women's Division II Bulletin preseason Top 25.

Eight players return from the 2009-10 team that posted a 35-4 overall record and went 18-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference for the third straight season.

The Skyhawks finished their 2009-10 campaign with a 35-4 overall record, 18-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. FLC went 5-1 in the NCAA Division II playoffs, defeating Colorado Mines (63-54), Augustana (79-52) and Concordia St. Paul (73-64) in the Central Regionals. The Skyhawks' first-ever trip to the Elite Eight included wins over Seattle Pacific (68-59) in the quarterfinals and Franklin Pierce (79-64) in the semifinals. Emporia State beat FLC 65-53 in the national championship game, one that was tied at 38-38 with 8:31 remaining in regulation.

Top returners for the Skyhawks include senior point guard Abby Jackson (5-foot-4, 8.6 points per game, 3.5 assists per game, second team All-RMAC), junior forward Dana Schreibvogel (6-foot, 4.8 ppg, 3.1 rebounds per game), junior guard/forward Mary Rose Paiz (5-foot-11, 4.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and junior center Jenna Santistevan (6-foot, 2.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg).

Key newcomers include sophomore guard Katerina Garcia (5-foot-5, transfer from Southern Illinois University), freshman guard Erika Richards (5-foot-9, 20.1 ppg as a McDonald's All-America nominee at Red Mountain High School in Arizona) freshman guard Ashley Kucher (5-foot-8, 2010 Utah 4A Player of the Year), freshman guard Amanda Kerr (5-foot-6, 2010 New Mexico 4A Player of the Year) and freshman center Christine Groh (6-foot-1, 2010 Texas District 6-5A Co-Player of the Year).

Seven players are gone from last year's squad, including five seniors who were part of the team for four years: Audrey George, Laura Haugen, Katie Mackey, Lauren McCullough and Allison Rosel. Also gone are reserve guards Katie Mihalco and Hayley Hollenga, who is focusing solely on soccer this year at Fort Lewis.

The Skyhawks open their season at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 13 against Eastern New Mexico University in Whalen Gymnasium.

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

1. Arkansas Tech
2. Delta State
3. Tusculum
4. Holy Family
5. West Texas A&M
6. Indianapolis
7. UC-San Diego
8. Lander
9. Alaska Anchorage
10. Bentley
11. Northeastern State
12. California (Pa.)
13. Seattle Pacific
14. Wayne State (Neb.)
15. Drury
16. Charleston
17. Chico State
18. FORT LEWIS
19. Washburn
20. Grand Valley State
21. Pace
22. Barton
23. Emporia State
24. West Liberty
25. Clayton State

Others to watch: Carson-Newman, Concordia, Augustana, Findlay, Southern Indiana, Northern Kentucky, Wisconsin-Parkside, Humboldt State, Western Washington, Grand Canyon, Bridgeport, Millersville, Indiana (Pa.), Fort Valley State, Benedict.