Jan. 30, 2002
Softball Receives Votes for USA Today/NFCA Preseason Poll
The Truman softball team received votes in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association NCAA Division II poll released today.
Despite ranking 13th in the final 2001 NFCA top 25 poll, Truman did not receive enough votes from eight NCAA Division II coaches representing each of the eight Division II regions to make the preseason top 25 this year.
Defending national champion Nebraska-Omaha topped the poll, a team the Bulldogs will face in March at the UNO tournament.
Bloomsburg University (Pa.) is No. 2 among the top 25 teams and will be a test for Truman early this year as the two teams meet on Mar. 11 on the 'Dogs spring break trip to Florida.
No. 9 North Dakota State is scheduled to play the Bulldogs on Mar. 24 at the Missouri Western Tournament, while No.15 Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville will travel to Kirksville on Mar. 20.
Last year, the Bulldogs knocked the North Central region tournament host, NDSU, out of the NCAA tourney, and took a pair of games from SIUE in Edwardsville.
No. 18 American International will be the 'Dogs first game on their trip to Florida.
The Truman Bulldogs finished 2001 with a 43-11-1 record and were the NCAA Division II North Central Region runnerup after losing to eventual national champion Nebraska-Omaha in the regional championship game.
The 'Dogs return six all-MIAA performers, including first-team all-region picks Jennifer Hulsopple, a senior pitcher, and sophomore shortstop Elizabeth Economon.