TAMPA, JAN. 20, 2016 – USF was picked to finish fourth by the league's coaches in the American Athletic Conference preseason softball poll, the conference announced Wednesday.
The Bulls received 23 points, just four points shy of Houston, and 10 points behind preseason favorite UCF. Tulsa was picked to finish second with 31 points, while East Carolina, Memphis and UConn rounded out the final three spots.
UCF received four of the seven first place votes, with Tulsa receiving two and Houston earning the final vote.
USF returns 16 players from a 2015 squad that just missed making its fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. First team all-conference selection Lee Ann Spivey and second team all-conference selection Kristen Wyckoff both return to help lead the Bulls in 2016.
Head coach Ken Eriksen also made some changes to his coaching staff for the 2016 season, adding Tommy Santiago and former Oregon standout Jessica Moore.
Read the entire release from the American HERE and see the complete poll below.
USF opens the season by hosting South Carolina on Friday, Feb. 12, at 2:15 p.m. Get your season tickets and mini plans HERE.
2016 American Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll
Place School Points First-Place Votes
1 UCF 33 4
2 Tulsa 31 2
3 Houston 27 1
4 USF 23 -
5 East Carolina 12 -
6 Memphis 11 -
7 UConn 10 -
Be sure to follow USF softball on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. The Bulls open the 2015 season on Friday, Feb. 12, at 2:15 p.m. against South Carolina at the USF Softball Stadium. Get your season tickets and mini plans HERE. The USF softball program has been one of the most successful on campus, making 12 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women's College World Series in 2012.
- #GoBulls –
