NAIA Top 25 Poll

Kansas City, MO – Coming off capturing the Mid-South Conference tournament title and advancing to their first NAIA National Championship since 2016, the University of the Cumberlands opens the 2022-2023 season ranked 17^th in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll, which was released by the national office Friday.

The Patriots tallied 237 points in the poll to earn it's first top-25 ranking since September 30, 2017 when Cumberlands was ranked 16^th.   This is also the first time in five years that UC will open the season ranked into the national poll.

UC is returning five players from last year's team, including four players that competed at the 2022 NAIA National Championships.  The Patriots returners are highlighted by Gustav Barden, who finished 15^th at nationals last season, and the MSC Tournament Medalist Jarryd Elliott.  In addition to the five returners, Cumberlands has seven newcomers to this year's squad that'll look to add depth to the UC lineup.

The defending national champion Keiser earned all 19 first-place votes to be atop the poll.  Dalton State, Houston-Victoria, Ottawa, and USC Beaufort round out the top five.  UC is one of three Mid-South schools mentioned in the poll as Lindsey Wilson is ranked 19^th, while Tennessee Southern is receiving votes.

Cumberlands opens it's 2022-23 season on September 17, when they travel to Lexington, KY to compete in the AU Fall Invitational being hosted at the Kearney Hill Golf Course.

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