Whitworth University is ranked 10th in the NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division III Pre-Season women's poll heading into next week's season-opening match against Chapman University.

Click here for the entire poll.

The Pirates, coming off of an 18-3 finish in 2007 and a second round appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament, return eight starters. Whitworth is picked to finish second in the Northwest Conference, according to the 2008 NWC Coaches Poll.

Defending NCAA Division III champion Wheaton (Ill.) is ranked first in the poll, while fellow NWC-member Puget Sound is ranked 5th.

The Bucs will open the season on Monday, September 1st against Chapman in Tacoma on the campus of the University of Puget Sound. The match will kick off at 11:00 am.