University of Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vols Move To #4 In USA Softball Poll
February 12, 2013 | Softball
Feb. 12, 2013
ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 (Feb. 12, 2013)
OKLAHOMA CITY - Tennessee climbed to No. 4 in this week's ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25, as announced by the ASA and USA Softball on Tuesday.
Tennessee moves up one spot in the poll after starting the season at No. 5. The Lady Vols are 5-0 to start the season after sweeping last week's games in the Red Desert Classic in St. George, Utah. It is the seventh time in program history that UT has started the season 5-0. Tennessee earned wins against Southern Utah, Idaho State, Utah State, South Dakota and BYU.
The Lady Vols' 18 runs scored in their 18-3, five-inning win over Southern Utah are the most ever scored by a UT squad in a season opener. The team batted .424 through the first five games of the season and outscored opponents, 53-8. Junior Ellen Renfroe threw her second career no-hitter in a 10-0, five-inning win over Utah State on Friday.
Oklahoma took over as the new No. 1 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25. The Sooners have 12 first-place votes and started the season at No. 2. Alabama moved to No. 2 with eight first-place votes. Arizona State jumped up one spot to No. 3. Florida leaped from No.15 to No. 5. The SEC has five teams in the top 10 as Missouri stayed at No. 7 and Texas A&M went to No. 10. The conference has eight teams in the top 25.
Tennessee will be back in action this week when the Lady Vols head to Tampa, Fla., to play in the USF 4 Team Tournament from Feb. 15-17. UT will play North Carolina State and Coastal Carolina on Feb. 15. The Lady Vols will face tournament host No. 12 USF on Feb. 16 followed by a semifinal game and either a finals game or consolation game on Feb. 17.
