VERMILLION, S.D. -- The South Dakota Women's Basketball Team is ranked 23rd in the USA Today-ESPN Division II Top-25 Poll which was released on Tuesday afternoon.

The Coyotes have opened the season with a 9-1 record with wins over two nationally-ranked opponents, including a 71-50 decision over #13 Northern State (10-2) on Monday night at the DakotaDome.

South Dakota is off to its best start since opening the 2003-04 season with a 15-1 record.

The USA Today-ESPN Division II poll is released weekly and consists of 28 head coaches at Division II institutions, all who are members of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.

USA Today/ESPN Top-25 Poll (Dec. 19, 2006) 1. Henderson State (Ark.) 8-0 2. Grand Valley State (Mich.) 10-1 3. Emporia State (Kan.) 7-2 4. North Dakota 14-1 5. Washburn (Kan.) 7-1 6. Southern Connecticut State 9-0 7. Glenville State (W. Va.) 6-0 8. Florida Gulf Coast 13-0 9. California State-Chico 5-1 10. West Texas A&M 9-1 11. Delta State (Miss.) 10-1 12. Missouri Western State 9-0 13. Northern State (S.D.) 10-2 14. Western Washington 6-1 15. Stonehill (Mass.) 10-2 16. Metro State (Colo.) 8-2 17. Northern Kentucky 5-2 18. Wingate (N.C.) 7-2 19. Fort Valley State (Kan.) 5-2 20. Clayton State (Ga.) 7-1 21. American International (Mass.) 9-3 22. Saint Rose (N.Y.) 8-2 23. South Dakota 9-1 24. St. Cloud State 10-3 25. Bellarmine (Ky.) 6-2