ST. PAUL - The Martin Luther College women's basketball team finished in a tie for third place in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference preseason poll voted on by the coaches around the UMAC.
MLC must replace the experience and production of a record breaking senior class that helped the Knights to a conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth last season, but the Knights hope the return of three starters and several other major contributors will lead to another season of competing for the top spot in the UMAC.
University of Minnesota, Morris finished first in the poll with five first place votes and 47 total points. St. Scholastica came in second with three first place votes and 44 points. MLC tied Northwestern for third with 32 points.
Rounding out the poll were Bethany Lutheran in fifth (30 points), Northland in sixth (19), North Central in seventh (11) and Crown College in eighth (9).