Mavericks Second in Preseason League Coaches' Poll
Feb 3, 2017 | Softball
ELMHURST, Ill. – The Omaha softball team was picked second in the 2017 Summit League Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference office announced Thursday.
Defending league champion North Dakota State was selected as the league's favorite after collecting six first-place votes and 36 total points. Omaha claimed the final first-place tally and placed second with 27 points. Western Illinois came in third with 25 votes, while South Dakota (23) was fourth. South Dakota State (19), IUPUI (11) and Fort Wayne (five) rounded out the poll.
Senior infielder Nicole Warren was also included on the Summit League's Player to Watch list after leading the Summit League in home runs (20) last season and earning All-Summit honors.
The Mavericks were 30-29 (12-5 Summit League) a year ago and finished as runner-up in the regular season. UNO returns nine letterwinners, including four position starters and two starting pitchers, with three All-Summit honorees: Warren, senior outfielder Lia Mancuso and sophomore pitcher Laura Roecker. Omaha is led by first-year head coach DJ Sanchez.
The Mavericks open up their schedule heading to Cedar Falls, Iowa to play in the Ramada-UNI Dome Classic on Feb. 10-12. UNO will play Montana, Drake, Wisconsin, Toledo and Northern Iowa in five games.
2017 Summit League Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Rank | School | Points (1st) | 2016 Record (SL) |
| 1. | North Dakota State | 36 (6) | 39-15 (17-0) |
| 2. | Omaha | 27 (1) | 30-29 (12-5) |
| 3. | Western Illinois | 25 | 16-32 (9-8) |
| 4. | South Dakota | 23 | 15-38 (8-9) |
| 5. | South Dakota State | 19 | 23-34 (8-10) |
| 6. | IUPUI | 11 | 20-35 (4-12) |
| 7. | Fort Wayne | 5 | 11-40 (2-16 |
