The NJCAA released its preseason basketball polls on Monday afternoon and the HutchCC women will open the season No. 13.
The Blue Dragons open the season Friday, Oct. 31 at 5:30 p.m. in Sedalia, Mo. against Southeast Community College in the State Fair McDonald's Classic.
Hutchinson has a lot of new faces on this year's roster, only four players return from last year's team that went 29-5. The four returners include Katie Duncan, Dylan Alexander, Noelle Anthon and Jaden Wilson. Only Duncan and Wilson played significant minutes with Alexander and Anthon suffering season ending injuries.
Defending national champion Northwest Florida State is the preseason No. 1, receiving 11 first-place votes. Shelton State (Ala.), Eastern Arizona, Dodge City and Chipola round out the Top 5.
Butler is the third and final Jayhawk Conference team in the preseason poll, the Grizzlies come in at No. 19.