NORTHAMPTON, Mass. - The Columbia women's squash team will enter the 2012-13 campaign ranked 13th, as announced in the College Squash Association preseason poll Tuesday.

Columbia, entering its third year as a varsity program, picks up where it left off last season after winning the consolation final in the Kurtz Cup (B Division). The Lions knocked off Franklin & Marshall and Mount Holyoke at the 2012 CSA National Team Championships to finish the year ranked 13th.

The Lions are set to return seven student-athletes from last year's squad, including the top-three players in Alisha Maity, Katie Quan and Kate Calihan. Four freshmen are also set to begin their collegiate careers at Columbia this season.

The 2012 national champion, Harvard, will open the season ranked No. 1. Yale took the second slot, while Trinity, Princeton and Penn complete the top-five, respectively.

Columbia will see its first competitive action of the year this weekend, participating in the Ivy League scrimmages in New Haven, Conn. The Lions open the regular season with four straight home matches, beginning with Georgetown, Friday, Nov. 30.