The University of Houston-Victoria Jaguars softball team is ranked 14th in the 2009 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Softball Coaches’ Top 25 Preseason Poll, it was announced today.

In addition, the team was ranked second in the NAIA Independent Teams Conference Ratings released Monday.

“I just want to say how proud I am of these women and how impressed I am that we have the respect that we do among the NAIA softball coaches,” said Keri Lambeth, UHV head softball coach. “Our ultimate goal is to win a national championship, and we’re well on our way. We’re continuing to work hard in practice, and we can’t wait to get on the field and play some games.”

The NAIA ranked the softball team No. 15 in the nation in its final 2008 rankings after the Jaguars finished their remarkable inaugural season. The women compiled a 32-18 record and made UHV’s first postseason appearance. The Jaguars finished fourth in Region VI of the NAIA and only missed the national tournament by one slot.

“This is a remarkable accomplishment for our softball program, said Ashley Walyuchow, UHV Athletics Director.  “Anytime you can get recognition from other coaches proves you’re on the right track.  This is affirmation that we are building on last year’s success.”

The poll released today has last year’s national championship softball team from Lubbock Christian University beginning the 2009 season as the top-ranked team in the nation. The team received 20 of the possible 23 first-place votes and 650 total points in the rankings.

The first regular season poll will be released on March 17.

The UHV softball team will start its second season at the Galveston Island Tournament on Feb. 6 in Spring, Texas, and play its first home game Feb. 14 against Texas College. The double-header will start at 1 p.m. at the St. Joseph-O’Connor Athletic Complex.

  
2009 NAIA Softball Preseason Top 25 Poll – (Jan. 27)

Others receiving votes:
Walsh (Ohio) 98; Bellevue (Neb.) 83; Concordia (Ore.) 73; Morningside (Iowa) 64; Indiana Southeast 63; Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) 60; Saint Xavier (Ill.) 57; Brenau (Ga.) 41; William Woods (Mo.) 40; Oklahoma Christian 34; College of Idaho 21; Madonna (Mich.) 18; Azusa Pacific (Calif.) 13; Evangel (Mo.) 11; Bacone (Okla.) 8; Grand View (Iowa) 7; Faulkner (Ala.) 6; Concordia (Calif.) 4; Milligan (Tenn.) 3; Belhaven (Miss.) 3; Minot State (N.D.) 1; Aquinas (Mich.) 1; St. Francis (Ill.) 1; Park (Mo.) 1; Lindenwood (Mo.) 1; Friends (Kan.) 1; Ohio Dominican 1; Campbellsville (Ky.) 1; Notre Dame (Ohio) 1; Northwood (Texas) 1.