The NKU softball team looks to repeat as GLVC Tournament champions in 2010.
INDIANAPOLIS – The Northern Kentucky University softball team has been picked third in the Great Lakes Valley Conference preseason poll in a ballot of the league coaches.
NKU, which won the GLVC Tournament last year after finishing sixth in the regular-season standings, received 160 points in the poll. The Norse posted a 32-23 record last season and welcome back six starters and the top two pitchers from that team.
Among the returnees for NKU is GLVC Freshman of the Year and All-Region honoree
Jessica Farris, who led the team with 31 runs scored. Pitcher
April Ehlers, who set a school record by fanning 18 batters in a 7-0 win over Dowling last season, is also back for the Norse.
Indianapolis, which advanced to the NCAA Division II World Series last season, was the unanimous choice to win the GLVC title with 14 first-place votes and 196 total points in the poll. Quincy finished second in the poll with 171 total points.
Lewis finished fourth in the voting with 159 total points and was followed by Missouri-St. Louis, which collected 144 total points and the final first-place vote. Missouri S&T garnered 115 total points to place sixth in the preseason poll.
The 2010 season marks the first with the league expanded to 15 teams. Illinois-Springfield and Maryville enter the conference schedule for the first time, though neither will be eligible for the GLVC Tournament.
NKU opens the season on Feb. 12 at the North Georgia Tournament in Dahlonega, Ga. The home opener is scheduled for March 5 against GLVC foe Rockhurst.
The GLVC Tournament will be held on May 7-9 at the EastSide Centre in East Peoria, Ill.
2010 Great Lakes Valley Conference Softball Preseason Poll
| |
Team |
Total Points |
(First-place Votes) |
| 1. |
Indianapolis |
196 |
(14) |
| 2. |
Quincy |
171 |
|
| 3. |
Northern Kentucky |
160 |
|
| 4. |
Lewis |
159 |
|
| 5. |
Missouri-St. Louis |
144 |
(1) |
| 6. |
Missouri S&T |
115 |
|
| 7. |
Southern Indiana |
114 |
|
| 8. |
Bellarmine |
105 |
|
| 9. |
Wisconsin-Parkside |
103 |
|
| 10. |
Saint Joseph's |
87 |
|
| 11. |
Rockhurst |
74 |
|
| 12. |
Drury |
57 |
|
| 13. |
Kentucky Wesleyan |
44 |
|
| 14. |
Illinois-Springfield* |
26 |
|
| 15. |
Maryville* |
20 |
|
* Ineligible for GLVC Softball Tournament
