Coming off their second-straight NAIA Fab Four appearance in 2022-23, the Central Methodist women’s basketball team enters the new season ranked No. 2 in the preseason edition of the NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 poll.

The poll, which was announced by the national office Wednesday morning, features three other Heart programs, including defending NAIA National Champions Clarke University (No. 7), No. 18 MidAmerica Nazarene, and (RV) Grand View University.

Central received three first-place votes, while Campbellsville (Ky.) landed at No. 1 with 15 first-place votes.

In addition, CMU was picked to repeat as Heart Conference Champions in the preseason poll that was released by the conference office on Oct. 11, after sweeping conference play with a perfect 22-0 record last season. CMU finished 35-1 overall with a trip to the NAIA National Championship Semifinals.

Coach Mike Davis and returning NAIA Defensive Player of the Year Zutorya Cook said they are ready to return to the court during comments made at the annual Heart Media Day last week.

Cook makes returns for her second year and is poised to lead a team that lost six of its top seven players and three of four double-digit scoring leaders from last year’s team. Among those six are Leianya Massenat and Leah Johnson.

Massenat led the Lady Eagles in scoring last season with 17 points per game to go along with 5.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. She shot 43 percent from the field and 33.5 from 3-point range last year as a sophomore.

Johnson dominated under the basket last year, averaging a double-double with 14.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. Both players transferred to Georgia South Western.

Central also lost Daryna Bachkarova to graduation. The senior and outside sharpshooter averaged 16.3 points per game a year ago.

“It was great playing with an amazing, talented bunch of girls last year,” Cook said.

Despite last season’s incredible run, the Lady Eagles fell just short of a national title in their second-straight return to the Fab Four, and coach Davis said his team has unfinished business. “I think we left it with the understanding that it was an unbelievable year with great accomplishments, yet we all knew we wanted just a little bit more. I think that’s part of our culture. I’m so proud of the people we have here because they have such high expectations for themselves.”

Coach Davis said that despite losing some top players, he welcomed 13 new players to the team this season, and the program is working not to rebuild but to return to the standard that the CMU women have established.

“We have some real talent with this team,” Davis said. “As this team matures and we learn to speak the same language, I think there’s a great future and a great spot for this team some time this year. How quickly we can get there, that’s our challenge.”

Cook, the fourth leading scoring from a year ago with 12.2 points per game, said there is pressure after finishing undefeated in the Heart last year. “We’re definitely going to have a target on our backs. I think we’re going to be fine. Everybody is stepping up into their positions.

“It’s different this year, that’s for sure. But no worries. I think everybody on the court with us, everyone who’s been recruited, they’re going to be ready when their number is called.”

About half a dozen standouts are among the 13 new players on this year’s roster. Davis highlighted senior outside shooter Hayley Berfield, senior and former Moberly Greyhound B’Aunce Carter, freshman and reigning Philadelphia Public League Player of the Year Sa’Mya Stevens, junior defensive standout Sharay Trotter, senior Tynesha Parnell, and 6’6 junior Benie Lundu.

“We really brought in some young ladies who are embracing being a part of this,” Davis said. “They want to carry their load and be a part of our success. And I think that’s a great trait to have.”

The Lady Eagles return to the court on today (Wednesday) to open the season at home against Stephens College at 5 p.m. Six days later, they leave for a four-game road trip, which includes games against defending NAIA champs Clarke (Iowa) and Culver-Stockton College.

Clarke University won the 2022-23 NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship last year by defeating the defending NAIA National Champions, St. Thomas More (Ky.), 63-52, for their first-ever National Championship. The Pride was picked to finish second, tied with Midamerica Nazarene University with 127 points.

CMU will play two games against each Heart opponent, with only three non-conference games this season. “The Heart is a very good conference. We were fortunate to run the table last year. But the national champion comes out of our conference. I think the schedule we’re going to play will get us ready for the postseason,” Davis said.