The Youngstown State bowling team was slotted sixth in the National Tenpin Coaches Association Preseason Top 25 Poll that was announced on Sunday.

The No. 6 ranking is the highest ever for the program in the preseason poll, topping the No. 7 ranking to open the 2021-22 campaign. The Penguins were seventh in the final poll of 2022-23, and sixth matches their second-highest ranking in any poll.

Youngstown State received 1,424 points from the 56 coaches who cast a ballot, and it is sandwiched between two other teams from Conference USA. YSU's total was 140 points under No. 5 Stephen F. Austin and 18 points ahead of No. 7 Jacksonville State. Conference USA, which absorbed all of the old Southland Bowling League teams and added JSU, occupies seven of the top 10 spots in the preseason poll.

C-USA member and reigning National Champion Vanderbilt received 51 of the possible 56 first-place votes and sits atop the preseason poll with 2,148 points. Arkansas State, another conference member, is second in the preseason poll after finishing second to Vandy at the national tournament in 2022-23. Nebraska and North Carolina A&T, the only non-Conference USA schools ranked in the preseason top eight, sit third and fourth, respectively. Following Stephen F. Austin, YSU and Jacksonville State are Sam Houston State, Maryville and Louisiana Tech.

Youngstown State returns all nine bowlers from last year's squad that advanced to the Elite Eight and battled Vanderbilt to the final match at the NCAA Lansing Regional in 2022-23. The Penguins are led by fifth-year senior Megan Grams and returning Honorable Mention All-Americans Madyson Marx and Kirsten Moore. Doug Kuberski is a two-time conference coach of the year.

Youngstown State will begin the 2023-24 campaign by hosting the Penguin Classic on Oct. 13-15 at Holiday Bowl in Struthers, Ohio.