Mavs Picked Fourth in Summit Preseason Poll
Feb 10, 2016 | Softball
OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha softball team has been picked to finish fourth in the 2016 Summit League Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll. The poll was voted on by the league's seven head coaches, and they could not vote for their own team.
North Dakota State has been tabbed as the Summit League's top team in 2016. The Bison, who were 45-11 overall and 16-2 in the league a year ago, received five first-place votes and 35 total points. IUPUI received 29 points and the other two first-place votes for second. South Dakota came in third with 27 points after finishing 28-25-1 overall and 13-4 in the conference last season. Omaha is fourth in the poll with 20 points. South Dakota State is picked to finish fifth with 16 points, while Western Illinois is sixth with 14 points. Fort Wayne rounds out the poll in seventh place with six points.
Omaha finished the 2015 season with a 22-28 overall record and a 6-10 mark in the Summit League. UNO finished sixth in the league regular season standings last season.
Omaha welcomes back two all-league members, including 2015 Summit League Freshman of the Year Megan May and first team performer Lizzie Noble. In all, the Mavs return eight position starters.
The 2016 season marks Omaha's first with full NCAA Division I and Summit League postseason eligibility. The Mavericks, led by 17th year head coach Jeanne Scarpello, open the 2016 season Feb. 12-14 at the Hillenbrand Invitational in Tucson, Ariz.
|
2016 Summit League Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll |
|||
|
Rank |
School |
Points (1st) |
2015 Record (SL) |
|
1. |
North Dakota State |
35 (5) |
45-11 (16-2) |
|
2. |
IUPUI |
29 (2) |
33-18 (9-8) |
|
3. |
South Dakota |
27 |
28-25-1 (13-4) |
|
4. |
Omaha |
20 |
22-28 (6-10) |
|
5. |
South Dakota State |
16 |
23-29 (7-11) |
|
6. |
Western Illinois |
14 |
18-23 (8-10) |
|
7. |
IPFW |
6 |
3-45 (2-16) |
