Virgnia Picked Fourth In ACC Preseason Softball Poll

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Jan. 29, 2003

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The University of Virginia softball team has been picked to finish fourth in the 2003 Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Softball Coaches Poll as voted by the league’s five head coaches. The Cavaliers totaled nine points in the poll.

Florida State has been tabbed the team to beat as the ACC’s top team in 2003. The Seminoles, who advanced to the NCAA College World Series last season, received four of five first-place votes in the ACC Preseason Coaches Poll for a total of 24 points. FSU finished the 2002 season 55-20 overall and 6-0 in ACC play. Defending ACC Tournament champion Georgia Tech received one first place vote and was picked second in the poll with 18 points. The Yellow Jackets went 52-18 overall and 6-2 in league play last season. North Carolina was picked third in the poll with 14 points. Virginia was fourth in the poll with nine points, followed by Maryland with eight points.

Virginia finished the 2002 season with a 45-22 overall record and a 1-6 mark in the ACC. UVa was 6-2 versus ACC foes in non-conference matchups with the two losses coming in the ACC Tournament. Sixth-year head coach Cheryl Sprangel’s Cavaliers open the 2003 season February 14-16 at the UNC Triangle Classic in Raleigh, N.C. Virginia’s first game of the tournament is against UNC Wilmington on February 14 at 12 noon. The Cavaliers also play Campbell at 6:00 p.m. the same day.

The entire ACC Preseason Softball Coaches Poll follows.

2003 ACC Preseason Softball Coaches Poll1.    Florida State    243.    Georgia Tech     183.    North Carolina   144.    Virginia          95.    Maryland          8

-UVa-