The University of the Pacific women’s basketball team begins its new season ranked third in the West Coast Conference preseason coaches poll, tied with Santa Clara. The Tigers are only behind WCC favorite Gonzaga University and 2023 champion the University of Portland.

It matches the best preseason ranking for the Tigers since joining the WCC. Pacific was also ranked third entering the 2019-20 season.

The Tigers are riding the momentum of a run to the WCC semifinals last March with tournament wins over Saint Mary’s and the University of San Diego. Pacific won six of the final eight regular-season games to finish sixth in the 10-team conference.

Coach Davis has welcomed nine returning players from that team, including eight who are juniors, seniors or graduate students. The program also recruited four freshmen and two transfers. Guards Liz Smith and Anaya James are the top two returning scorers. Both players have scored more than 650 career points.

Pacific opens the season Friday, Nov. 10 by hosting Cal State Fullerton at 6 p.m. and then returns to the Alex G. Spanos Center to host Cal State Bakersfield at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12. Tickets are available at www.PacificTigers.com/tickets.