The top three spots in our preseason poll go to last year's national finalists and talent-laden New York University. d3photography.com photo by Pete Meshanic; Christopher Newport, NYU athletics photos

Which do you prefer, the defending national champion that returns all but one of its key players or a star-studded challenger with three All-Americans, including last year's national Player of the Year?

Our voters took the former in a split decision, and Transylvania starts the season ranked No. 1 ahead of New York University.

• Preseason All-Americans: Men | Women
• Defending champs top men's preseason poll, too

Transylvania returns four starters and several key reserves who led the Pioneers to the 2023 national championship and a 33-0 record. While Transylvania only loses one player from last year's rotation, it's a big one. All-America selection Madison Kellione graduated in the spring and will play at Division I Tennessee Tech while earning her master's degree this winter. All-Region honorees Kennedi Stacey and Dasia Thornton return, as does double-digit scorer Laken Ball.

Meanwhile, New York University returns one All-American in forward Natalie Bruns and adds two more. Morgan Morrison, who led Smith to the national semifinals and was named 2023 Player of the Year, transferred to NYU for her graduate studies. So did her former NEWMAC rival Megan Bauman who was an All-American at Babson last season. Add in All-Region honoree Belle Pellecchia at point guard and it's easy to see why the Violets start the season ranked highly.

Rhode Island College made a surprise run to the national semifinals last season, but the Anchorwomen won't sneak up on anyone this season. They enter the Top 25 ranked fifth behind perennial title contenders Christopher Newport and Tufts.

Check out the full poll as part of our preseason coverage.

2023-24 women's basketball preseason D3hoops.com Top 25

The first regular-season poll is slated for release on Monday, Nov. 27.