Azusa Pacific was selected as the PacWest preseason favorite, earning eight of the 11 first place votes in the preseason coach's poll last week.

Last season, the Cougars compiled an overall 22-8 record, making an NCAA West Regional appearance, which was the second straight and sixth time since joining Division II. In PacWest play, Azusa Pacific finished 16-4 earning second place in the regular season and in the conference tournament.

"While being voted by the coaches across the conference as the preseason favorite serves as a reflection of the respect that our program and players have earned, we know that it is the performance across the entirety of the season that will matter." said head coach Peter Bond. "Our roster has a number of guys who are going into their 4th or 5th year in the program, and this preseason ranking speaks to the hard work, dedication and development that has gone on during their time here."

Azusa Pacific returns nine players, including senior, Ken West who was a First Team All-PacWest selection last season. Aside from West, seniors Bryce Sloan, George Reidy and Allan McBride also return alongside Nate Kleppe, Trevan Martin and Kaleb Taylor. All nine returners played an integral part of the team's success last season.

Bond welcomes DI transfer Ethan Speaker (University of Arkansas at Little Rock) and two high school seniors that had impressive careers in Khristian Holmes (Weston Ranch High School - Stockton, Calif.) and  Nashawn Holmes (St. Rita of Cascia High School - Chicago, Ill.). 

The Cougars will open their season at the Conference Challenge at Chico State. The Cougars will face the Wildcats on November 10th at 7:30 p.m., followed by a matchup against Cal Poly Pomona on November 11th at 5:30 p.m.