INDIANAPOLIS – The University of Indianapolis softball team has been selected to win the upcoming 2017 Great Lakes Valley Conference season, it was announced by the league office Tuesday. The annual GLVC Softball Preseason Poll was voted on by the league head coaches.
The University of Indianapolis (51-5, 27-3 GLVC in 2016) garnered five of 15 possible first-place votes, as Conference policy prohibits coaches from casting a vote for their own team, to total 210 points for the top spot in the poll. This is the fourth time in the last 10 years the Greyhounds have been chosen as the favorites to go along with a top choice in 2010, 2013 and 2014. Last season, they captured their second GLVC Championship crown and earned the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, finishing the year ranked No. 13 in Division II. Reigning GLVC Coach of the Year Missy Frost will again be at the helm for her 12th season, and despite losing the 2016 GLVC Pitcher of the Year and NCAA record holder Morgan Foley in the circle, Frost returns senior utility player and All-GLVC selection Natalie Lalich who led the team last year in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.388), hits (69), home runs (14), RBI (61), total bases (125) and slugging percentage (.702). UIndy is also enters the campaign ranked No. 16 in the NFCA Division II Preseason Poll.
The University of Southern Indiana (35-21, 21-9 GLVC in 2016) was close behind with 202 points but did pick up the most first-place votes with six to come in at No. 2. That’s the most first-place votes it has received in the last 10 years and the highest preseason ranking for USI in that time, matching a second-place pick in 2007 with two first-place votes. Last year, USI fell in the semifinal round of the GLVC Championship but did receive an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament. The Screaming Eagles, who received votes in the NFCA Preseason Poll, remain guided by 16th-year head coach Sue Kunkle and enter the upcoming season with the return of GLVC Player of the Year and All-American senior catcher Haley Hodges, who led the team and league in all major offensive categories.
The University of Missouri-St. Louis (53-9, 27-4 GLVC in 2016) earned three of the 16 first-place votes and amassed 185 points to take third position. The 22nd-ranked Tritons will be guided by first-year head coach Amanda Scott, who won’t get the pleasure of mentoring NCAA record holder and former GLVC Pitcher of the Year Hannah Perryman but inherits a handful of returning stalwarts to lead the way, including three-time All-GLVC First Team member Alex Stupek, 2015 GLVC Freshman of the Year Jennah Perryman, as well as seniors Sara Kern, Erin Walker and Ryan Logan.
Truman State University ranks fourth in the poll after garnering 180 points, having recorded a 30-20 overall record and a 20-10 mark in the league a season ago, while also earning a berth in the NCAA Midwest Regional for the third straight season. With head coach Erin Brown returning for her 11th season at the helm, the Bulldogs also welcome back last year’s GLVC Freshman of the Year Christa Reisinger along with All-GLVC honoree senior catcher Lex Van Nostrand, who led Truman with eight doubles and 35 RBI in 2016.
Bellarmine University finished 33-26 in 2016 and went 19-11 in GLVC play, falling seven points shy of fourth-ranked TSU in this year’s preseason poll with 173 points to take No. 5 with the two remaining first-place votes. Former All-American and an All-GLVC first teamer last year, Ally Foster, will be missed this season but the Knights will be under the guidance of Renee Hicks for her 14th season, as she is the winningest softball coach at Bellarmine during the fastpitch era. She welcomes back 15 players and adds six freshmen to the mix.
McKendree University placed sixth with 157 points, followed by Maryville University (142) in seventh and the University of Illinois Springfield (123) in eighth. William Jewell College (109) came in at No. 9, while Rockhurst University (104) rounded out the top-10 selections. Behind Rockhurst was Drury at No. 11 (78), Quincy at No. 12 (73) and Saint Joseph’s at No. 13 (67). Lewis University (60), Missouri S&T (47) and University of Wisconsin-Parkside (18) respectively rounded out the 16-team field in 14th, 15th and 16th.
The top-eight teams based off Conference winning percentage will advance to the 2017 GLVC Championship Tournament, held May 4-6, in East Peoria, Illinois.
The complete 2017 GLVC Softball Preseason Poll follows below.
| 2017 GLVC Softball Preseason Poll |
| Team |
Points (1st Place) |
| 1. Indianapolis |
210 (5) |
| 2. Southern Indiana |
202 (6) |
| 3. Missouri-St. Louis |
185 (3) |
| 4. Truman State |
180 |
| 5. Bellarmine |
173 (2) |
| 6. McKendree |
157 |
| 7. Maryville |
142 |
| 8. Illinois Springfield |
123 |
| 9. William Jewell |
109 |
| 10. Rockhurst |
104 |
| 11. Drury |
78 |
| 12. Quincy |
73 |
| 13. Saint Joseph's |
67 |
| 14. Lewis |
60 |
| 15. Missouri S&T |
47 |
| 16. UW-Parkside |
18 |