Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball picked second in MVC Preseason Coaches' Poll
02/05/2007 | 12:00:00 | Softball
Feb. 5, 2007
By Matt Crouch
www.SIUSalukis.com
ST. LOUIS - For the second year in a row, the Southern Illinois University softball team has been picked second in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason coaches' poll, released by the league office Monday morning.
Illinois State, the defending MVC regular-season champion, was voted first by the league's coaches with 86 points and six of nine first-place votes.
SIU came in as a close second with 83 points and the remaining three first-place votes.
"I think that Illinois State is very deserving to be preseason No. 1 because of who they have back. They have two four-year starters on the mound, so that doesn't surprise me," said SIU head coach Kerri Blaylock.
"I'm glad that we are still getting the respect with how strong our league is to be in second. Hopefully we can have a pretty good year and push for the title."
Wichita State came in third in the preseason poll with 71 points and was followed by 2006 MVC Tournament champion Missouri State in fourth with 57 points. Creighton rounded out the top five with 54 points.
Even with the Salukis beginning the season ranked second in the league, Blaylock believes that the field is wide open.
"It is not surprising to see the top teams bunched together, I think there is a lot of parity in our league. I think that the No. 5 could end up at No. 2 or No. 4 could end up at No. 1, that's just how it is," said Blaylock.
Filling out the rankings are Indiana State in sixth with 47 points, Bradley at seventh (33), Drake at eighth (30), Evansville at ninth (23) and Northern Iowa at 10th (11).
SIU also made its presence known on the 2007 Preseason All-Valley Softball team as five of the 13 players on the team are Salukis.
Making their way on the team are senior pitcher Cassidy Scoggins, senior catcher Amanda Clifton, junior third baseman Lauren Haas and junior outfielders Tiffanie Dismore and Krystal Stein.
Southern Illinois by far led the preseason All-Valley team in representation with five honorees. Wichita State trailed with three, followed by Illinois State with two. Evansville, Bradley and Indiana State each had one.
But, even though she is pleased with the recognition, Blaylock says she still reminds the team that they have work to do.
"I'm proud of all the kids, but like I tell them, all this preseason stuff doesn't mean anything unless you have a good year," said Blaylock.
The Salukis return 13 letterwinners from last season's squad that posted a 35-13 record and advanced to the team's fourth NCAA Tournament in as many years.
SIU is set to kick off the 2007 season on Friday, Feb. 9 at the Jacksonville University Tournament in Jacksonville, Fla. The Salukis open the tournament with North Carolina-Greensboro at 12 p.m. CT.
2007 MVC Preseason Coaches' Poll
1 - Illinois State (6) - 86 pts.
2 - Southern Illinois (3) - 83 pts.
3 - Wichita State - 71 pts.
4 - Missouri State - 57 pts.
5 - Creighton - 54 pts.
6 - Indiana State - 47 pts.
7 - Bradley - 33 pts.
8 - Drake - 30 pts.
9 - Evansville - 23 pts.
10 - Northern Iowa - 11 pts.
2007 Preseason All-MVC Softball Team
1B - Brittany Herald, Evansville
*2B - Tiffany Prager, Illinois State
*2B - Brooke Usher, Wichita State
3B - Lauren Haas, Southern Illinois
SS - Britnee Barnett, Wichita State
C - Amanda Clifton, Southern Illinois
DP - Jacqueline Vitale, Bradley
UT - Amber Smith, Illinois State
OF - Tiffanie Dismore, Southern Illinois
OF - Krystal Stein, Southern Illinois
OF - Katie McGeeney, Wichita State
P - Cassidy Scoggins, Southern Illinois
P - Darcy Wood, Indiana State
* - Received equal votes
