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CHICKASHA, OK- The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma softball team has debuted at No. 2 in the 2019 NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll, released on Monday.
"To be the No. 2 team in the country for pre-season polls is a great push for my athletes and staff to take care of business and work our way up to the spot we desire, which is No. 1" said Head Coach Jadyn Wallis.
Oklahoma City University sits atop the poll receiving 11 first-place votes. Last season, OCU defeated the Drovers in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament championship game, 3-1. It was USAO's only loss of the postseason.
The Drovers are the defending national champions, after going undefeated in the NAIA Softball World Series, with seven straight wins to end the 2018 season.
USAO was also voted No. 2 in the 2019 Sooner Athletic Conference Preseason Poll behind OCU. The Drovers received four first-place votes, while OCU captured the remaining six.
Last season, the Drovers nearly swept the SAC individual awards. Wallis was honored as Coach of the Year. She led the team to a 20-game winning streak, defeated multiple nationally ranked teams, and earned USAO's first-ever softball national title. Following the World Series Championship, Wallis was also voted as NAIA Head Coach of the Year.
Additionally, freshman Emily Cerny (SO/Newcastle, OK) was awarded SAC Pitcher of the Year, and went on to earn NAIA Pitcher of the Year. Darci Chester (SO/Collinsville, OK) was awarded Newcomer of the Year, and now graduated Chloe Clifton was named Player of the Year for the SAC.
Former USAO athlete Kayla Adams was named the 2018 Easton NFCA/NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year, honoring her third season with USAO.
"Our mindset right now going into this season is win every pitch of every inning of every game. We know the stakes are high and we will rise to the occasion," said Wallis. "We have athletes that know the mentality it takes to be a champion and that is the attitude we will take into every game we play this season."
The Drovers will begin the 2019 season in the NAIA College Cowtown Classic in Fort Worth, Tex. Friday, Feb. 8, USAO will take on Morningside College at 10 a.m.
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"To be the No. 2 team in the country for pre-season polls is a great push for my athletes and staff to take care of business and work our way up to the spot we desire, which is No. 1" said Head Coach Jadyn Wallis.
Oklahoma City University sits atop the poll receiving 11 first-place votes. Last season, OCU defeated the Drovers in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament championship game, 3-1. It was USAO's only loss of the postseason.
The Drovers are the defending national champions, after going undefeated in the NAIA Softball World Series, with seven straight wins to end the 2018 season.
USAO was also voted No. 2 in the 2019 Sooner Athletic Conference Preseason Poll behind OCU. The Drovers received four first-place votes, while OCU captured the remaining six.
Last season, the Drovers nearly swept the SAC individual awards. Wallis was honored as Coach of the Year. She led the team to a 20-game winning streak, defeated multiple nationally ranked teams, and earned USAO's first-ever softball national title. Following the World Series Championship, Wallis was also voted as NAIA Head Coach of the Year.
Additionally, freshman Emily Cerny (SO/Newcastle, OK) was awarded SAC Pitcher of the Year, and went on to earn NAIA Pitcher of the Year. Darci Chester (SO/Collinsville, OK) was awarded Newcomer of the Year, and now graduated Chloe Clifton was named Player of the Year for the SAC.
Former USAO athlete Kayla Adams was named the 2018 Easton NFCA/NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year, honoring her third season with USAO.
"Our mindset right now going into this season is win every pitch of every inning of every game. We know the stakes are high and we will rise to the occasion," said Wallis. "We have athletes that know the mentality it takes to be a champion and that is the attitude we will take into every game we play this season."
The Drovers will begin the 2019 season in the NAIA College Cowtown Classic in Fort Worth, Tex. Friday, Feb. 8, USAO will take on Morningside College at 10 a.m.
Continue reading...