DALLAS -- After playing the last two years without an automatic berth to the MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour, the Lone Star Alliance Division II gets its AQ back in 2017. The University of Texas at Dallas is expected to take home the bid according to the preseason coaches poll.

The Comets (11-2) were slotted ahead of La.-Lafayette (13-4) in the coaches poll despite the Ragin' Cajuns defeating UTD in the LSA championship game last spring. Oklahoma State (7-8) is expected to finish third while Baylor -- which moves from LSA-I to LSA-II this spring -- is tabbed fourth.

Baylor is one of four new teams in LSA Division II along with Trinity (Texas), Southeast Louisiana and Louisiana Tech. This gives LSA-II 19 teams, which will be broken down into three divisions. The top two seeds from each division will compete in the LSA Division II tournament, with the top two programs earning a bye into the semifinals.

2017 LSA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll