MORRISTOWN, Tenn. -- The Walters State Lady Senators basketball team, coming off the heels of a program best 33-1 record and fifth place finish in the NJCAA National Tournament last season, have been ranked 11th in the nation in the preseason NJCAA Division I Coaches Poll released Monday afternoon.
 
The Lady Senators return nine players, including five with starting experience, and the bulk of their scoring from last year's team, as they look to win their fourth straight Tennessee Community College Athletic Association and NJCAA Region VII title and advance to the NJCAA National Championship Tournament in Salina, Kan. in March.
 
Defending national champion Central Arizona is the top team in the poll, followed by 2009 national runners-up Jefferson (Mo.) College. Chipola (Fla.) College is ranked third, followed by Copiah-Lincoln (Miss.) and Trinity Valley (Tex.) College.
 
Walters State will open the 2009-10 season on Monday, Nov. 9 when they host Clinton (S.C.) Junior College at 'Z' Buda Gymnasium in Morristown.