ST. PAUL, MINN - The University of Northwestern women's basketball team ranked third in Thursday's Upper Midwest Athletic Conference [UMAC] Preseason Coaches Poll. The Eagles, who finished their 2016-17 season with a 18-10 overall record [12-4 UMAC], garnered 51 points in the unanimous league ballot.

Click HERE to read the full UMAC press release.

2017-18 UMAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Wisconsin-Superior - 64 points (8 First Place Votes)
2. Minnesota Morris - 52 points (1 First Place Vote)
3. Northwestern - 51 points
4. Bethany Lutheran - 40 points
5. St. Scholastica- 38 points
6. Martin Luther - 33 points
7. Northland - 21 points
8. North Central - 15 points
9. Crown - 10 points

Aaron Kahl | 8th Season |
18-10, 12-4 UMAC | 3rd |
Postseason: Eagles fell short, 55-70, to Greenville in NCCAA North Central Regional Final

Top Returners
- Amy Berglund, Sr., G | 2016-17 UMAC All-Conference 1st Team, 2017 All-Defensive Team, 2016-17 UMAC Player of the Week [5x],  2015-16 UMAC All-Defensive Team, 2015-16 UMAC All-conference 1st Team, 2014-15 UMAC Academic All-Conference| 2016-17 2nd Team All-American, 2015-16 NCCAA 2nd Team All-American, 2015-16 NCCAA All-North Central Region Team, 2015-16 North Central Region's Player of the Year,  | Career-high 25pts vs. Whittier College (Dec. 21, 2016), Averaged 14.5 ppg in last season, Averaged 7 rebounds pg last season |
- Taryn Tumbleson, Jr., G | 2017 UMAC Academic All-Conference | Career-high 19pts vs. Northland (Dec. 17, 2016), Career-high 9 rebounds vs. Crown (Feb. 11, 2017), Averaged 8.9ppg last season|
- Andrea Zimpel, Sr., G | 2015-16 UMAC Academic All-Conference, 2014-15 UMAC Academic All-Conference | Career-high 16pts vs. Crown (Feb. 11, 2017), Career-high 7 rebounds vs. Superior (Jan. 21, 2017), Averaged 5.5ppg last season |

Need to Know
- Northwestern beat Judson (Ill.), 67-56, in a first-round NCCAA Tournament contest
- UNW fell to Greenville (Ill.), 55-70, to Greenville in NCCAA North Central Regional Final

The purple and gold will debut their 2017-18 campaign on Wednesday, November 15, against St. Catherine University. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m. in St. Paul. Fans can find more information on the women's program by visiting www.unweagles.com and by following @unwwbb on Twitter.