INDIANAPOLIS—The Bethel University women's basketball team was recently ranked No. 6 in the NCAA's first region rankings of the 2016-17 season. The Royals, who are 18-4 overall and 13-2 in MIAC play, were slotted behind St. Thomas (22-0), Puget Sound (20-1), Gustavus (21-1), Wartburg (21-2), and Whitman (19-2), but ahead of George Fox (17-4) and Saint Benedict (13-9).
 
The eight region rankings play a huge part in determining who is deserving of an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. After the 43 automatic qualifiers, this pool of teams is reviewed for the final 21 spots in the 64-team playoff.
 
Late last week the Royals locked up their fourth consecutive MIAC Playoff appearance and sixth in the last seven years, which marks the first time in 20 years that BU has reached the postseason four years in a row. Bethel is hoping to return to the NCAA Division III Playoffs for the first time since 2014-15.
 
The Royals finish the year with a road test at Augsburg on Saturday, followed by a home matchup with Concordia on Wednesday, February 15 and the regular season finale against St. Catherine on Saturday, February 18 in the Robertson Center Gym.