Texas Tech University Athletics
Softball earns more preseason recognition
January 20, 2026 | Softball
Red Raiders start at t-No. 1 in ESPN/USA Softball and No. 2 in D1Softball Preseason Polls
LUBBOCK, Texas – The Red Raiders continue to get preseason hype as ESPN/USA Softball and D1Softball released their preseason polls today which slated Tech at t-No. 1 and No. 2 in the respective polls.
Last year's national runners-up reloaded after a historical 2025 season, bringing in the No. 1 ranked transfer portal class while retaining stars like NiJaree Canady, Mihyia Davis, Hailey Toney and Alana Johnson.
Tech had six players ranked in D1Softball's top 100 players list including Canady (No. 1), Davis (No. 21), Taylor Pannell (32), Kaitlyn Terry (41), Mia Williams (65) and Lauren Allred (76).
Canady is the consensus No. 1 player entering the 2026 season after being put there by both D1Softball and Softball America last week.
The Red Raiders will open their season on February 5 against McNeese in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
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Last year's national runners-up reloaded after a historical 2025 season, bringing in the No. 1 ranked transfer portal class while retaining stars like NiJaree Canady, Mihyia Davis, Hailey Toney and Alana Johnson.
Tech had six players ranked in D1Softball's top 100 players list including Canady (No. 1), Davis (No. 21), Taylor Pannell (32), Kaitlyn Terry (41), Mia Williams (65) and Lauren Allred (76).
Canady is the consensus No. 1 player entering the 2026 season after being put there by both D1Softball and Softball America last week.
The Red Raiders will open their season on February 5 against McNeese in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
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Players Mentioned
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P/UTL
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