North Dakota State College of Science enters the 2019 season ranked No. 13 nationally in the Preseason NJCAA D2 Top 20 Poll, released earlier this month.

The Wildcats are coming off a 31-4 campaign that saw them host and win the Region XIII Tournament and advance to the national tournament for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

It was the Wildcats first trip to the national tournament since 2007.

Head coach Jane Passa is entering her 21st season at the helm, where she?s had unprecedented success. The Wildcats have had 21 consecutive winning seasons with Passa racking up a 556-241 record.

NDSCS returns All-American OH Gabby Hahn, who led the team with 419 kills and finished second in digs (441). Fellow sophomore Lexi Hansch is also back after leading the team with 1,295 assists. Sophomores Lily Pyle (338 kills in 2018) and Elizabeth Lyons (118 blocks in 2018) are other notable returners for the Wildcats.

Defending national champion Coffeyville is the preseason No. 1 team in the nation, edging reigning runner-up Parkland (IL) by three points. Johnson County (KS), Kirkwood (IA) and Catawba Valley (NC) round out the top five.

The Wildcats will matchup with three teams in the preseason poll with Kirkwood, No. 11 Northeast (NE) and No. 18 Iowa Central on the docket.

The Wildcats open the 2019 season at home on Aug. 28 with a triangular against Mayville State JV and Central Lakes College.

FULL NJCAA POLL: http://njcaa.org/sports/wvball/2019-20/div2/polls