Softball Ranked No. 11/12 in Preseason National Polls
January 30, 2018 | Softball
NFCA Poll | USA Softball Poll
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The two major national softball polls were released this week and for the 15th straight year, Tennessee is ranked in both polls to begin the season.
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The Lady Vols are ranked No. 11 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Preseason Top 25 Poll and No. 12 in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Preseason Coaches' Poll.
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Defending national champion Oklahoma begins the year as the No. 1 pick in both polls. The Sooners received 31 of the 32 first-place votes in the NCFA poll and 18 first-place votes in the USA Softball poll after returning seven starters from last year's championship team.
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The SEC had the most teams represented in both polls once again as nine schools were included in the NFCA Poll, including seven in the top 15. The USA Softball Poll features nine SEC teams, including eight in the top 15 and four in the top 10. Other SEC teams in the polls include Florida, Texas A&M, LSU, Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Georgia. South Carolina, Arkansas and Missouri was among those receiving votes in both polls as well.
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The USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll is voted on by 32 NCAA Division I head coaches, one representing each conference. The complete NFCA Preseason Poll can be found HERE.
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The ESPN.com/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll is voted on by coaching representatives of 10 Division I conferences in the 15 ASA/USA Softball Regions as well as members of the national and local media who consistently cover Division I softball across the country. The entire poll can release can also be found by clicking HERE.
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The Lady Vols are coming off a 48-12 season in which they reached their 14th consecutive NCAA regional and hosted a regional for the 13th straight year. Tennessee returns 17 players from last season's team including All-SEC first team selection and SEC Player of the Year Meghan Gregg as well Caylan Arnold, who was named SEC Freshman of the Year and selected to the Freshman All-SEC team along with Chelsea Seggern. All-SEC second team honorees Matty Moss and Brooke Vines also return for the Lady Vols in 2018. UT also welcomes four exciting newcomers to this year's team.
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The Big Orange kicks off its 2017 season with a doubleheader against Boise State and No. 19/23 Arizona State on Feb. 8 at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. Tennessee's home opener is slated for March 2 when the Lady Vols kick off the Tennessee Invitational with a doubleheader against Charleston Southern and Toledo at Lee Stadium. UT opens SEC play at home with a three-game series against Missouri from March 9-11.
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Season tickets are now on sale at AllVols.com. They can also be purchased by calling the ticket office at (865) 656-1200 or by visiting Thompson-Boling Arena's street-level ticket office on Phillip Fulmer Way.
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The two major national softball polls were released this week and for the 15th straight year, Tennessee is ranked in both polls to begin the season.
Â
The Lady Vols are ranked No. 11 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Preseason Top 25 Poll and No. 12 in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Â
Defending national champion Oklahoma begins the year as the No. 1 pick in both polls. The Sooners received 31 of the 32 first-place votes in the NCFA poll and 18 first-place votes in the USA Softball poll after returning seven starters from last year's championship team.
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The SEC had the most teams represented in both polls once again as nine schools were included in the NFCA Poll, including seven in the top 15. The USA Softball Poll features nine SEC teams, including eight in the top 15 and four in the top 10. Other SEC teams in the polls include Florida, Texas A&M, LSU, Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Georgia. South Carolina, Arkansas and Missouri was among those receiving votes in both polls as well.
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The USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll is voted on by 32 NCAA Division I head coaches, one representing each conference. The complete NFCA Preseason Poll can be found HERE.
Â
The ESPN.com/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll is voted on by coaching representatives of 10 Division I conferences in the 15 ASA/USA Softball Regions as well as members of the national and local media who consistently cover Division I softball across the country. The entire poll can release can also be found by clicking HERE.
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The Lady Vols are coming off a 48-12 season in which they reached their 14th consecutive NCAA regional and hosted a regional for the 13th straight year. Tennessee returns 17 players from last season's team including All-SEC first team selection and SEC Player of the Year Meghan Gregg as well Caylan Arnold, who was named SEC Freshman of the Year and selected to the Freshman All-SEC team along with Chelsea Seggern. All-SEC second team honorees Matty Moss and Brooke Vines also return for the Lady Vols in 2018. UT also welcomes four exciting newcomers to this year's team.
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The Big Orange kicks off its 2017 season with a doubleheader against Boise State and No. 19/23 Arizona State on Feb. 8 at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. Tennessee's home opener is slated for March 2 when the Lady Vols kick off the Tennessee Invitational with a doubleheader against Charleston Southern and Toledo at Lee Stadium. UT opens SEC play at home with a three-game series against Missouri from March 9-11.
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Season tickets are now on sale at AllVols.com. They can also be purchased by calling the ticket office at (865) 656-1200 or by visiting Thompson-Boling Arena's street-level ticket office on Phillip Fulmer Way.
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