Basketball | 10/31/2023 1:40:00 PM

DENTON, Texas (Oct. 31, 2023) – After a historical, record-breaking season in 2022-23, the Texas Woman's basketball team was ranked in the Top 25 of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Preseason Poll, ahead of the upcoming season.

The Pioneers, who finished last season with their most wins in program history, 26, and fewest losses in program history, six, were ranked 24th in the Preseason Poll.

In the final WBCA poll last season, TWU was ranked 23rd.

Two other Lone Star Conference opponents joined TWU on the Preseason Poll, as UT Tyler was ranked seventh and Angelo State came in at No. 19. Receiving votes in the poll was Lubbock Christian.

The reigning Division II National Champion, Ashland, who went undefeated last season, secured the No. 1 spot.

TWU will begin their 2023-24 season at the D2CCA Tipoff Classic, hosted by Montana State Billings. The Pioneers will face two teams included in the preseason poll in the classic. TWU will meet the host MSUB to open their season on Friday, Nov. 3. The Yellowjackets were ranked 15th on the preseason poll. On Saturday, Nov. 4, the Pioneers will face No. 2 on the preseason poll Minnesota State Mankato.

For the 2023-24 season, the Pioneers returned six players and welcomed seven newcomers, including three junior college transfers, one Division I transfer and three freshmen. TWU was picked to finish second in the LSC Preseason Poll, ahead of the season.

Also in the LSC Preseason release, junior Ashley Ingram was tabbed as a Preseason Player to Watch. During the 2022-23 season, Ingram led the team in rebounds (204), assists (64), blocks (23), field goal percentage (52%), free throws made (149) and attempts (186). Ingram was also named to the WBCA All-America Honorable Mention list, becoming the first TWU student-athlete to receive this honor since 1991.

The Pioneers are led by Head Coach Beth Jillson, who was named the LSC Noel Johnson Coach of the Year in back-to-back seasons (2021-22 and 2022-23).

"We are excited to get the season going," Jillson said. "Our team has focused in the offseason on establishing great mindsets to be great teammates and great at the game of basketball. We are honored to be recognized among the nation's best to start the season. We look forward to starting off our season against strong competition and continuing to achieve pioneering achievements."