April 9, 2007

BERKELEY, Calif. - California was picked No. 21 in ESPN.com's Mechelle Voepel's Pre, Pre-Preseason Top 25 Rankings released today. The 2007-08 season is about seven months away, but Voepel offered her predictions.

Here's a look at Voepel's Pre, Pre-Preseason Top 25

1. Tennessee
2. Maryland
3. Connecticut
4. Rutgers
5. North Carolina
6. Duke
7. Oklahoma
8. LSU
9. Arizona State
10. Texas A&M
11. Stanford
12. Georgia
13. Baylor
14. Michigan State
15. George Washington
16. Florida State
17. Purdue
18. Pittsburgh
19. Ohio State
20. Louisville
21. California
22. Texas
23. West Virginia
24. Notre Dame
25. Oklahoma State

Cal finished the 2006-07 season with one of the best records in school history at 23-9. The Golden Bears were one win shy of matching the 1983-84 team (24-8) for the most wins in school history. Cal also placed third in the Pac-10 Conference for its best finish in school history, and its 12-6 Pac-10 mark matched the 1991-92 team for the best in program history.

Next season, Cal looks to earn its third consecutive NCAA Tournament berth for the first time ever. The Bears return four starters from this year's NCAA Tournament lineup, including All-American posts Devanei Hampton and Ashley Walker. The team also welcomes back 2005-06 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year Alexis Gray-Lawson, who missed most of this past season with an ACL injury.

Natasha Vital, a first-team Pac-10 All-Freshman selection, and Lauren Greif, an honorable mention Pac-10 All-Freshman choice, are also among the returners.

In 2007-08, the Bears welcome Lenita Sanford, a McDonald's All-American, Kelsey Adrian, a member of Canada's Senior National team, and Rachelle Federico, a Street & Smith's All-American. The trio comprises the No. 24 recruiting class in the country, according to All-Star Girls Report.