Ahead of next week’s season opener, Syracuse is ranked 18th in the Associated Press’ preseason poll. It’s the highest preseason mark since debuting at No. 14 two years ago.

Syracuse is returning all five starters from a season ago, and newcomers Emily Engstler, Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi and Kadiatou Sissoko are expected to make an impact. SU posted a 22-9 record last season and was bounced out in the first round of the NCAA tournament. It was never ranked in the AP Poll last season.

Five other Atlantic Coast Conference schools are ranked. Defending champion Notre Dame is No. 1, Louisville comes in at No. 5 and North Carolina State (No. 17), Duke (No. 21) and Miami (No. 25) also earning spots.

Syracuse begins its season on Nov. 6 against North Dakota at 3 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.