NEW ORLEANS – The Sun Belt Conference offices announced Monday morning the rankings of the 2023-24 Preseason Coaches Poll. Texas State was selected to finish seventh overall with 116 points.

The Bobcats are coming off a successful 2022-23 campaign where the team had a 23-10 record on the season and went 13-5 in conference play. The 13-5 conference record won Texas State the regular season conference championship. Additionally in the 2022-23 season, the team made an appearance in the WNIT tournament for the programs ninth postseason and fourth WNIT appearance in program history.

Returning from the 2022-23 roster are five players, four of which saw action last season. Among the returners are seniors Nicole Leff, Sierra Dickson and Nicole Leff, graduate student Timia Jefferson and sophomore Kennedy Claybrooks. 

The Bobcats will welcome seven newcomers to the roster this season, including two freshman Emillia Steele and Julia Coleman. Among the newcomers is five trasnfers, including BOXTOROW HBCU All-America graduate transfer from Morgan State, Ja'Niah Henson. Henson will be joined by former SBC Freshman of the Year, Gara Beth Self, as a graduate transfer from ULM. The pair is joined by two junior college products from Blinn College, Crystal Smith and Tiffany Tullis. Rounding out the newcomers is Western Kentucky transfer and reigning Conference-USA All Defensive Team member Jaylin Foster.

Texas State will open its season on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. inside Strahan Arena versus Arlington Baptist. Get tickets at txst.com/tickets. 

2023-24 Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll 

1. James Madison (9) - 186  
2. Troy (3) - 177  
3. Southern Miss (1) - 159  
4. Old Dominion - 149 
5. Georgia Southern (1) - 131 
6. Louisiana - 117 
7. Texas State - 116 
8. Arkansas State - 87 
9. Marshall - 85 
10. Coastal Carolina - 72 
11. ULM - 71 
12. App State - 54 
13. Georgia State - 46 
14. South Alabama - 20 

Follow @txstatewbb on Instagram and X to keep up with the Bobcats throughout the 2023-24 season.