NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Southwestern University women's golf team will begin the 2013-14 campaign with high expectations as they open the season ranked No. 10 in the Golf World/NGCA Division III College Women's Preseason Coaches' Poll released Wednesday.

After claiming the SCAC Championship the Pirates finished seventh at the NCAA III National Championships at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, Fla.

The Pirates are the top SCAC team ranked in the top 25 and one of three Texas schools ranked in the top 10.

Defending national champion Mary-Hardin Baylor was picked in the top spot followed by Methodist at No. 2 and Washington University (Mo.) at No. 3. DePauw was picked fourth with the University of Texas-Tyler rounding out the top five.

Southwestern kicks off their fall season September 9 at the Texas Lutheran Invitational at Vaaler Creek Golf Club.

Golf World/WGCA coaches' poll

Sept. 2, 2013 Preseason Issue

Division III

Rank    Team                                                      Points         2013 NCAAs

1.            Mary Hardin-Baylor (16)                  506               Won

2.            Methodist (3)                                       498               3 

3.            Washington U. (St. Louis)                444               6

4.            DePauw                                                  434               8 

5.            Texas-Tyler (1)                                    420               2

6.            George Fox                                            397               4 

7.            Claremont-Mudd-Scripps                 390               11

8.            Williams                                                 335               5 

9.            Illinois Wesleyan                                317               T-9

10.         Southwestern                                       298               7 

11.         Centre                                                     289               T-9

12.         Birmingham Southern (1)                234               12 

13.         Gustavus Adolphus                             223               DNP

14.         Wittenberg                                            215               DNP 

15.         Ithaca                                                      213               DNP

16.         Schreiner                                               186               DNP 

17.         Olivet                                                      182               13

18.         Middlebury                                           152               14 

19.         Trinity                                                     146               DNP

20.         St. Olaf                                                    140               15 

21.         NYU                                                         99                  DNP

22.         Saint Thomas                                       90                  DNP 

23.         Allegheny                                               80                  DNP

24.         Carleton                                                 64                  DNP 

25.         Wisconsin-Eau Claire                         63                  DNP