Lindsey Wilson College starts the 2010-11 NAIA Women's Basketball season as the 18th ranked team in the nation, according to the Preseason Coaches' Poll released by the national office last week.

The Blue Raiders, picked to finish third in the Mid-South Conference, earned 131 voting points in the poll and join Campbellsville (Ky.) University (4th) and University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) (12th) as entries from the MSC.

Lindsey Wilson started last season ranked 17th in the Preseason NAIA Coaches' Poll.

The Blue Raiders finished with a 20-12 record last season, including an 8-5 mark in MSC action.

Their season ended in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament with a loss to top-seeded Vanguard (Calif.) University in overtime.

The Blue Raiders earned the No. 4 seed and advanced to the second round of the MSC Tournament in Frankfort, Ky., last season before falling to No. 1 seed Campbellsville 82-59.

Lindsey Wilson returns NAIA All-American Honorable Mention and All-MSC First-Team performer senior Viktoria Krell.

Krell enters the season with 1,527 points and 948 rebounds. The Ludwigsburg, Germany native averaged 16.8 points and 10.2 rebounds last season.

Lindsey Wilson opens the regular season at 5:30 p.m. CT on Nov. 5 against Morris (S.C.) College at Biggers Sports Center.

Michelle Copley, is a former Russell County Lady Laker basketball ball player and a junior on this year's Lady Raider squad. She graduated from RCHS in 2008.

Michelle is the daughter of Gary and Pam Copley of Dunnville.

Her grandmother is Mattigene Gaskin of Russell Springs.

Good luck to Michelle and the Lindsey Wilson College women’s basketball team this year as they go into this winter season.