University of Houston Athletics
Softball Receiving Votes in Preseason Poll
1/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 24, 2008
HOUSTON - The University of Houston softball team opens the season receiving votes in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Preseason Poll.
The defending 2007 C-USA Champions are the 26th team in the poll receiving 75 votes. Despite the successful 2007 season where UH finished the season 44-18, Houston did not crack the top 25, something the Cougars are hoping to change.
"I think that there are a lot of factors that go into the poll that some voters do not know. We are of course disappointed to not make the top 25, but are going to focus on what we can do everyday to change that," head coach Kyla Holas said.
Houston hopes to improve their ranking this season, as they will face seven teams in the poll. The highest-ranking team is second ranked Texas A&M. Also Cougar opponents this season are Baylor (eighth), DePaul (10th), Texas (22nd), Ohio State (23rd), Louisiana-Lafayette (24th) and Fresno State (RV).
"Looking at our schedule we have seven teams that are in the poll. That gives us plenty of opportunity to make our case," Holas said.
Houston opens the 2008 season with double-headers against Nicholls State and McNeese State on Feb. 8 and Feb. 9, respectively. Following the opening weekend, Houston will also host the Crowne Plaza Classic on Feb. 15-17 and the Marriott Houston Classic Feb. 22-24.
USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Preseason Poll
1. Arizona (27)
2. Texas A&M
3. Arizona State
4. Alabama
5. Oklahoma
6. Tennessee (1)
7. Northwestern
8. Baylor
9. LSU
10. DePaul
11. Washington
12. Michigan
13. Florida
14. UCLA (1)
15. Hawaii
16. Virginia Tech
17. Georgia Tech
18. Oregon State
19. Stanford
20. Oregon
21. Cal State Fullerton
22. Texas
23. Ohio State
24. Louisiana-Lafayette
25. Missouri
(#)-First Place Votes
Others Receiving Votes:
Houston 75, South Carolina 74, Georgia 62, Fresno State 42, UMass 38, Creighton 23, Illinois State 23, Florida State 22, California 21, Mississippi State 16, NC State 12, Tennessee Tech 12, Loyola Marymount 8, Nebraska 7, Southern Illinois 7, BYU 7, Hofstra 5, North Carolina 5, Louisville 3, South Florida 3, UNLV 3, Texas Tech 2, Mississippi Valley State 1, Fordham 1, Florida Atlantic 1, Iowa 1
