The Northwest Conference office announced their annual Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll on Thursday afternoon, where the Linfield Wildcats were picked for the top spot by the coaches of fellow NWC institutions. It marks the first time ever that the Linfield women's basketball program has been named the top team to enter a season.

A year ago, the Wildcats went 19-7 overall and 10-6 against Northwest Conference opponents, entering the NWC Tournament as the No.4-seed. The 'Cats fell to the Whitman Blues, 65-55 in Walla Walla. The Blues went on to the NCAA Division III National Tournament after claiming the regular and postseason titles. It also marked the 'Cats first time finishing with a record above .500 in NWC play since the 2006-07 season, and also tied a program record with 19 wins overall. Junior Allie Mead and senior Miki Vermeulen earned First Team All-NWC honors for leading the team offensively to their first postseason tournament in five seasons. 

This season, Linfield opens at home, hosting Northwest University on November 15 at 6 p.m., before heading to Marshall, Texas, for three games at the East Texas Baptist Tournament. Norhtwest Conference play begins on November 30 at Pacific, before the conference slate resumes again on January 9 against Whitman and Whitworth at home. Looking to capitalize on senior leadership from eight Wildcats: Logan Roberts, Jordan Roberts, Miki Vermeulen, Eve Burke, Ella Koebelin, Amelia Solt, Jayden Ray, and Laurel Quinn. 

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