KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Despite graduating six key seniors, the EOU women's basketball team is still gaining respect on a national scale, as it carded a No. 17 ranking in the 2016 NAIA Preseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
 
EOU compiled 116 points in the poll to obtain its spot in the field. The only other Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) teams picked ahead of EOU were No. 2 Southern Oregon, the runner-up in last year's title game, and No. 20 Oregon Tech. The Mountaineers were one of two teams to defeat the Raiders last season.
 
To view the complete poll, click here.
 
The Blue and Gold finished the 2015-16 campaign with a 21-10 overall record and 16-4 mark in CCC play. EOU reached the semifinals of the CCC Tournament before falling on the road to Oregon Tech, 51-43. It was the first time in five seasons that EOU did not make an appearance in the NAIA National Championships.
 
EOU returns a quartet of seniors in Ashley Knight, Darian Gasseling, Donniesha Webber, and Bailey Schroeder. The Mountaineers bring back their leading scorer in junior guard Payton Parrish, who averaged 10.3 points per game, as well as Maya Ah You (Dias).
 
The Blue and Gold opens the 2016-17 campaign on Saturday against Simpson in Redding, Calif., at 5:30 p.m.
 
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