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(NewsDakota.com) – A run to the Elite Eight and returning three of five starters from that team has the University of Jamestown women’s basketball team among the favorites in the NAIA this season. The Jimmies open up the season at number six in the national poll.

Along with first-team All-American Jessica Buck, the Jimmies return Chelsey Frydenlund and Kyra Dewald to the starting lineup. Sophomore point guard Bryn Woodside, who had a big national tournament, will be counted on more this year.

Alexis Watts and McKayla Orr will both have bigger roles as well looking to fill the shoes of Megan Pold and Kadie Savage, respectively.

The men’s team received votes in the Top-25. The Jimmies fell short in the NSAA Championship game back in March and were the first team left out of the national tournament. Brequan Tucker and Jake Hagler will return to their starting roles for the third straight year.

Jamestown lost just one player from last year’s team Taylor Newton and former head coach Alan Magnani resigned after just one season. Danny Neville is now the head coach and his team has a tough schedule to kick-off the year.

Friday and Saturday nights the Jimmies will have double headers at the Jamestown Civic Center. Action beings at 5:30pm on Friday and 4:00pm on Saturday.

The men host 2015 national runner-up Dakota Wesleyan at 6:00pm on Saturday.