LYNCHBURG, Va. - For the fourth time in program history, the Liberty women's basketball team will take part in the Preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT), to tip off the 2012-13 season. The 16 participating teams were announced on Tuesday.

Tournament play will begin Nov. 9 and continue through the WNIT championship game on Nov. 18. All teams are guaranteed to play at least three games. The tournament bracket is scheduled to be announced next week.

The 16-team field is an impressive one, including six teams which played in the 2012 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship (Delaware, Georgetown, Iowa, Liberty, Middle Tennessee and Sacred Heart) and four others which played in the Postseason WNIT (Davidson, Duquesne, Illinois State and Memphis).

Liberty will be making its fourth Preseason WNIT appearance, after previously taking part in the tournament in 1999, 2003 and 2008. In 2008, the Lady Flames picked up their first Preseason WNIT victory, edging UC Riverside 45-44 in a consolation contest.

The Lady Flames are coming off of a successful 2011-12 season, which saw the team go 24-9. Liberty swept the Big South regular-season and tournament titles before making its 14th appearance in the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship.

2012 Preseason WNIT Teams
Team Name (2011-12 record) - 2011-12 Postseason play
Davidson (22-10) - WNIT First Round
Delaware (31-2) - NCAA Second Round
Duquesne (20-12) - WNIT First Round
Georgetown (23-9) - NCAA Second Round
Grambling State (15-15)
Illinois State (19-13) - WNIT Second Round
Iowa (19-12) - NCAA First Round
Kennesaw State (14-17)
Liberty (24-9) - NCAA First Round
Memphis (25-8) - WNIT Second Round
Middle Tennessee (26-7) - NCAA First Round
Morehead State (10-19)
North Carolina (20-11)
Northern Illinois (14-17)
Sacred Heart (25-8) - NCAA First Round
Sam Houston State (18-12) - WBI Second Round