The Wayne State Women's Basketball team tied for 10^th in the 2023-24 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll released Thursday morning by the league office in Burnsville, Minnesota. The Wildcats received 87 points in voting done by league coaches. Junior forward Maya Fitzpatrick was listed as Wayne State's Player to Watch this season.
            The Wildcats return two starters from last year's team that was 11-16 overall and 12^th place in the NSIC with a 7-15 conference record.  
            Minnesota State was a unanimous selection to win the NSIC this season with 14 first place votes and 196 points. Minnesota Duluth received the other first place vote (cannot vote for own team) and was second with 165 points, just ahead of third place University of Mary with 162. Southwest Minnesota State (140) and St. Cloud State (133) round out the top five teams.
            Augustana was one point ahead of Concordia-St. Paul (128-127) for sixth place. Sioux Falls was eighth with 100 points, MSU Moorhead ninth at 94 with Wayne State and Northern State tied for 10^th with 87 points each.
            Fitzpatrick, a 5-10 junior forward from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota (Champlin Park HS), is Wayne State's top returning scorer from last season averaging 7.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
            Wayne State is scheduled to open the 2023-24 season at home on Friday, November 10 hosting Buena Vista at 6 p.m. in Rice Auditorium.