Mavericks Tabbed Preseason No. 1 in MIAA
Feb 7, 2011 | General, Softball
The Mavericks picked up eight of 12 first-place votes and collected 118 points to edge fellow defending MIAA co-champion Emporia State's 114 points. The Lady Hornets received the other four first-place votes.
UNO finished 50-13 last season and participated in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional. The Mavericks will start off this season ranked No. 9 by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).
The Mavericks return All-American pitcher/outfielder #Lindsey Slocum and all-region pitcher and MIAA pitcher of the year Beth Haley#. Slocum and Haley combined to start 51 of 63 games in the circle for UNO last season.
In addition to the experience of the pitching staff, UNO returns all-conference honorees #Molly Feichtinger#, #Alli Hukill and Katelyn Hinton#, as well as everyday starter #Emma Wright#.
Fort Hays State earned the No. 3 spot in the preseason coaches poll with 95 points, followed by Missouri Western at No. 4 with 90 points and Central Missouri at No. 5 with 86 points.
Washburn checks in at No. 6 with 64 points, Northwest Missouri is No. 7 with 63 points, Truman is No. 8 with 44 points, Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State are tied for ninth with 39 points, Southwest Baptist is No. 11 with 29 points, and Lincoln is No. 12 with 11 points.
The Mavs are scheduled to open the season this Saturday against Central Oklahoma in Talequah, Okla. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
2011 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Nebraska-Omaha (8) – 118 pts.
2. Emporia State (4) – 114 pts.
3. Fort Hays State – 95 pts.
4. Missouri Western – 90 pts.
5. Central Missouri – 86 pts.
6. Washburn – 64 pts.
7. Northwest Missouri – 63 pts.
8. Truman – 44 pts.
T9. Missouri Southern – 39 pts.
T9. Pittsburg State – 39 pts.
11. Southwest Baptist – 29 pts.
12. Lincoln – 11 pts.
