STARKVILLE, Miss. - Two years removed from a national championship, California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) member Humboldt State enters 2010 ranked No. 11 in the NCAA Division II National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll that was released on Wednesday.
Alabama-Huntsville, 2099 NCAA Championship runner-up, earned the top spot in the poll after totaling 398 points, including 14 first-place votes. North Georgia (375) was second and followed by Winona State (345), Dixie State (331) and Indianapolis (316).
The Lumberjacks, who are three-time defending CCAA champions and this year's preseason favortie to capture a fourth straight title, received 214 points after posting 38-20 record in 2009.
Humboldt State opens the 2010 season at the Mizuno Best of the West Invitational in Turlock beginning Feb. 5. The Lumberjacks will be one of nine conference teams participating in the three-day tournament.
2010 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Preseason Top 25 Poll
School (First-Place Votes)
1. Alabama-Huntsville (14)
2. North Georgia
3. Winona State (1)
4. Dixie State
5. Indianapolis
6. Valdosta State
7. Le Moyne
8. Missouri Western State
9. California (Pa.)
10. Saginaw Valley
11. Humboldt State
12. Nebraska-Omaha
13. S.C. Aiken
14. Kutztown
15. Nova Southeastern
16. Metro State
17. Abilene Christian
18. C.W. Post
19. Angelo State
20. Wayne State (Mich.)
21. Wayne State (Neb.)
T22. West Texas A&M
T22. Mesa State
24. Carson-Newman
25. Lock Haven (1)