Texas Tech University Athletics
Tech Softball Receives Highest Preseason Conference Nod in Seven Years
January 18, 2008 | Softball
Jan. 18, 2008
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - Texas Tech softball received its highest preseason Big 12 nod since 2001 in the annual preseason softball poll released by the Big 12 Conference this week. The Red Raiders were picked seventh, their highest preseason ranking under Teresa Wilson, in voting done by the coaches. Each school picked above Tech qualified for the NCAA Tournament last year.
"I am pleased that we have moved up in the preseason rankings from previous years," Wilson said. "I am sure that is due to our finish at the Big 12 tournament last year. The important thing is that we build on that finish and continue to compete well against all the teams in the conference. We did well vs. Texas A&M last season, won a huge battle with Baylor in the Big 12 tournament and battled Oklahoma hard and had opportunities to take the championship game of the Big 12 Tournament."
Texas A&M received seven first-place votes to get the top nod for the third straight year. Oklahoma came in second place and Baylor third. They were the only other schools to receive first-place votes. Missouri, Texas, Nebraska, Tech, Oklahoma State, Kansas and Iowa State rounded out the order.
The Red Raiders are looking to build on the success of last year's Cinderella run through the conference tournament, where they just missed advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
"If we build on the Big 12 Tournament, our team's familiarity with and execution of our fundamental philosophy and stay healthy, it could be a very exciting year for Texas Tech Softball," Wilson said.
Wilson will rely on an experienced group of 13 players that return from last year's squad. Included on that list are seniors Jennifer Corkin, a 2007 Second Team All-Big 12 performer, and Robyn Wike, who was named to the All-Big 12 Tournament team last year. Three pitchers off last season's squad also return, including sophomore Ashly Jacobs, who won 17 games and went 3-1 during Tech's conference tournament run, and senior Sarah Losleben.
"We have more depth in the circle this year, and our offense has done an excellent job this fall and winter," Wilson said. Our defense, while young up the middle, is talented and confident. We have good senior leadership and we are hungry to continue to build Texas Tech Softball into a perennial contender on the Big 12 and National level."
The Red Raiders' season gets underway Feb. 8 at the UNLV Tournament in Las Vegas, Nev. Conference play will get underway on March 22 when the Aggies come to Lubbock.
