BURNSVILLE, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team was picked to finish fifth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. 

The Mavericks received 156 total points to be slotted fifth. Minnesota State was also tabbed to finish third in the south division after picking up 35 points. 

Minnesota State Moorhead was picked to finish first in the poll with nine first-place votes and 217 total votes. The Dragons also claimed the top spot in the South Division with 48 total points and six first place votes. Sioux Falls was slotted second in the NSIC with 214 points and six first place votes while Minnesota Duluth rounded out the top three with 194 total points and one first place vote. 

Senior Taylor Drost was named the Mavericks Player to Watch this season. Last season, Drost was the team leader in scoring (13.4) and was named to the NSIC All-Conference second team as well as the NSIC All-Academic team.  

Junior forwards Brooke Tonsfeldt (7.0 rpg) and Rachel Shumski (5.9 rpg) return to the lineup after finishing first and second in rebounds per game for Minnesota State and sophomore center Kristi Fett, the team leader in field goal percentage and blocks, looks to lock down the paint.  Junior Tayla Stuttley (9.0 ppg) and seniors Kirstin Klitzke (7.0 ppg) and Heidi Cap return as well as sophomores Maddy Olson, Anna Wanek, Rylee Menster, Tyra Boettcher, Emmaline Polson and Mikayla Nachazel.  New to the team are four freshmen, Joey Batt, Shea Fuller, Hailey Wallis and Carah Drees.

Minnesota State will host UW-Eau Claire for an exhibition game Wednesday, Nov. 6, before opening the season with a home game against Northern Michigan, Thursday, Nov. 14, with tip-off scheduled for 6:00 p.m.