VERMILLION, S.D.—South Dakota women's basketball was picked first in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major preseason poll released Monday evening. South Dakota is ranked in the poll for the 32nd consecutive poll, coming in at No. 1 for just the second time.
 
The Coyotes received 17 of the 31 first-place votes in the poll, with the voting panel made up of head coaches from 31 head coaches from mid-major programs across the country.
 
South Dakota, also picked as the preseason favorite in the Summit League, looks to build off its 2019 NCAA Tournament appearance. The Coyotes return 11 players and 83 percent of their scoring from a team that went 28-6. Last season also included South Dakota's first-ever appearance in the Associated Press Top 25 on Feb. 11.
 
Senior guard Ciara Duffy, who led the balanced roster with 14.6 points per game last season, was voted the Summit League Preseason Player of the Year. Junior center Hannah Sjerven, who averaged 11.8 points and 5.9 rebounds to go with 63 blocks, joined her on the preseason first team. Senior guard Madison McKeever and junior guard Chloe Lamb were named to the preseason second team. Lamb averaged 9.6 points per game while McKeever pitched in 7.8 points.
 
South Dakota opens the season at Northeastern in Boston, Massachusetts, Tuesday at 11 a.m. (CST).