For the first time in 20 years, the Missouri State Lady Bears will start a new season ranked in the top 25.

The Lady Bears, under second year head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, are ranked 24th in the Associated Press preseason poll.

MSU has appeared in the early poll three times previously, most recently in 2000-01.

The Lady Bears return ten players and four starters from last season’s team that went 26-4 overall and won the Missouri Valley Conference championship.

They’ll open the season November 27th at the Golf Coast Showcase in Florida, where they will take on Florida Gulf Coast, #12 Maryland, and Wake Forest.