SOUTH BEND – The Notre Dame women’s basketball team is ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason poll for the first time in 15 years.

The Irish garnered 14 first place votes on Tuesday from a 33-member national media panel to earn the top ranking in the preseason poll. Notre Dame last held the No. 1 ranking on March 5, 2001.

The Irish return most of the core back from a team that went 33-2 last season, losing in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. The Irish, who are led by senior guard Lindsay Allen, were 16-0 to win the Atlantic Coast Conference title last year.

Baylor was a close second, four points behind the Irish. The Lady Bears had 12 first place votes.

UConn, which has won 75 consecutive games and four straight national championships, was third. South Carolina and Louisville round out the top five teams.

Notre Dame opens its season by hosting Roberts Wesleyan on Thursday night. The Irish will host UConn on Dec. 7 in South Bend.