GREENSBORO - The North Carolina A&T women's basketball team has signed a contract to compete in the 2013 Preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament to open the 2013-14 season.

"The WNIT invites 16 teams every year to its preseason tournament. There are over 300 D1 programs in the country. North Carolina A&T State University receiving an invite lets us know that there is an established standard of excellence in women's basketball here," said A&T head coach Tarrell Robinson. "Personally, knowing first hand where this program has come from and where it's headed lets me know that we're doing the right things to keep moving this program to new heights. For the student-athletes, it has to be exciting to have a chance to compete in a national tournament to kick off your season."

The Aggies are one of 16 teams to participate in the 2013 Preseason WNIT.  The last time A&T participated in the Preseason WNIT was in 2009, where they went 1-2, defeating Chicago State 62-57. Former A&T star Ta'Wuana "Tweet" Cook is tied for the Preseason WNIT record for most three-pointers in a tournament with12. 

The Preseason WNIT features a three-game guarantee format, with the possibility of a fourth game.  In 2013, the tournament will start on Friday, Nov. 8.  Rounds one and two will be on Nov. 8 and 10, while the semifinals are slated to begin on Nov. 13 and 14. The Championship is set to be played on Nov. 17.  Teams who lose in the opening rounds can play consolation games from Nov. 15-16. 

The Preseason WNIT began in its current form in 1994. Teams are selected for the Preseason WNIT based on the team's expected success for that season, their conference standings, recent past, and geographical location.  A team may participate no more than once in a four-year period, and only one institution per conference may play in the tournament in the same year.