Release courtesy of Parker Griffith, Director of Media Relations/Division II Liaison, National Fastpitch Coaches Association
STARKVILLE, Miss. – For the fifth time
this season, Valdosta topped the latest NFCA Division II Top 25
poll, when it was released by the Association on Wednesday.
This week’s poll also marks the first time this season that a
team has received all 16 first-place votes for two consecutive
weeks.
Despite losses from each of the top four teams this week, Valdosta
State (43-3) finished nearly 50 points ahead of the No. 2 team to
carry the top ranking into the final week of play before NCAA
regionals. Kutztown (43-2) rose from fourth to second in the
latest poll, while Central Oklahoma (38-5) held tight at
third. After four losses last week, Indianapolis (45-7) fell
from fourth to second, while Tampa (34-5) remained at fifth for the
second consecutive week.
Following a four-game sweep by then seventh-ranked Cal State
Monterey Bay (42-10), UC San Diego (32-18) fell out of the rankings
for the second time this season. Moving into the poll in the
Tritons’ absence was Molloy (42-14), which returns to the
rankings at No. 25 for the first time since March 2 of last
season.
The NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll is voted on by 16 NCAA Division II head coaches, two representing each of the eight NCAA regions. Current 2012 records are shown, first-place votes are in parentheses.
NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll | ||||
Rank |
Team |
Record |
Totals |
Last Poll |
1 |
Valdosta St. (16) |
43-3 |
400 |
1 |
2 |
Kutztown |
43-2 |
353 |
4 |
3 |
Central Oklahoma |
38-5 |
352 |
3 |
4 |
Indianapolis |
45-7 |
330 |
2 |
5 |
Tampa |
34-5 |
322 |
5 |
6 |
Cal St. Mont. Bay |
42-10 |
314 |
7 |
7 |
Minn. St. Mankato |
43-8 |
280 |
8 |
8 |
Armstrong |
44-9 |
271 |
6 |
9 |
Cal St. Dom. Hills |
41-11 |
243 |
9 |
10 |
Angelo St. |
42-8 |
220 |
15 |
11 |
North Georgia |
45-8 |
216 |
11 |
12 |
Winona St. |
39-8 |
200 |
10 |
13 |
Barry |
37-9 |
192 |
12 |
14 |
Rollins |
37-7 |
186 |
13 |
15 |
Lenoir-Rhyne |
46-11 |
173 |
21 |
16 |
Emporia St. |
35-9 |
170 |
14 |
17 |
Augustana (SD) |
45-8 |
161 |
18 |
18 |
Southern Conn. St. |
36-8 |
149 |
16 |
19 |
Cal St. Chico |
34-14 |
125 |
19 |
20 |
Grand Valley St. |
41-11 |
112 |
20 |
21 |
Mo. Western St. |
38-9 |
110 |
17 |
22 |
California (PA) |
32-6 |
91 |
23 |
23 |
Ala.-Huntsville |
39-12 |
82 |
22 |
24 |
West Texas A&M |
34-17 |
27 |
25 |
25 |
Molloy |
42-14 |
26 |
RV |
Dropped Out: No. 24 UC San Diego
Others Receiving Votes: Bloomsburg 24, Dixie St. 19, Columbus St. 15, Ashland 10, Sonoma St. 7, West Virginia Wesleyan 5, Texas Woman’s 4, UC San Diego 4, Grand Canyon 2, three others received votes, but only appeared on one ballot.