The Flying Dutch are ranked fourth in a pre-season poll of NCAA Division III women's basketball teams.

The poll was conducted by d3hoops.com [2] and will continue through the season.

Messiah, Pa. is top-ranked in the poll followed by defending national champion Washington, Mo. Emmanuel, Mass. is ranked third followed by Hope, New Jersey, Wisc.-Oshkosh, New York Univ., Wisc.-Stevens Point, St. Thomas, Minn. and Baldwin-Wallace, Ohio.

The Flying Dutch posted a 25-3 record a year ago, won the MIAA championship for the second consecutive year and advanced to the NCAA playoffs.

Hope opens its season the weekend of Nov. 16-17 hosting a tipoff tournament. The team's first opponent will be Ohio Wesleyan, ranked 17th in the pre-season national poll.