NFCA ranks Dixie State 4th in preseason poll; Hawai‘i Pacific earns votes in national ranking

NFCA ranks Dixie State 4th in poll; HPU earns votes

STARKVILLE, MS - Dixie State College of Utah and Hawai‘i Pacific University have been tabbed among the best NCAA Division II softball teams in the nation this year thanks to the 2010 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Preseason Poll.

The poll was announced by the NFCA on Wednesday, Jan. 27, from its offices in Starkville, MS.

The Red Storm is ranked fourth in the nation while the Sea Warriors of HPU are receiving votes. The high preseason praise given to the two PacWest teams foretells an exciting race when the 2010 season kicks off during the first week of February.

After a successful 2009 campaign that included a 41-13 record, its first ever NCAA Division II National Softball Championship appearance, and a final ranking of sixth in the nation, the Red Storm is looking for a return trip to the NCAA II post-season under first-year head coach Randy Simkins.

The Sea Warriors of HPU are the reigning conference champions after posting a 20-4 league mark and an overall record of 42-12 in 2010.

The NFCA Division II Top 25 poll is voted upon by head coaches from 16 NCAA Division II institutions representing each of the eight NCAA II regions. Alabama-Huntsville enters the season as the number one team in the nation, followed by North Georgia and Winona (MN) State.

The NFCA's first 2010 regular season poll will be released on Wednesday, March 3. The PacWest Preseason All-Conference Team and predicted order of finish will be announced in early February.