SEATTLE (Nov. 7) -- Seattle Pacific University has been ranked No. 20 in the preseason poll conducted by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and is slated to meet top-ranked Cal Poly Pomona next month.

The Falcons, coming off a 24-5 record and loss toe Cal Poly in the West region championship game a year ago, will open preseason play Thursday night at Portland. SPU visits Gonzaga Saturday before opening the regular season at home Nov. 17 versus Western Baptist.

Coach Gordy Presnell lost his entire starting frontline to graduation but his recruiting class, which includes former Washington State center Kelley Berglund, is impressive.

Cal Poly Pomona is the only nationally-ranked team on the season schedule, however Western Washington, a great Northwest Athletic Conference foe, did receive votes. Seattle Pacific has already been installed as the GNAC favorite. SPU plays at Pomona Dec. 28.

USA TODAY/ESPN Top 25 preseason women's basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, 2000-01 record, total points based on 25 points for first place through one point for 25th, and final 2000-01 ranking: