FURMAN PICKED SECOND IN SOCON PRESEASON POLL

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- The Southern Conference softball coaches and sports information directors have cast their vote and selected Chattanooga to defend its title in 2001.

Chattanooga received six first place votes in the coaches poll and seven in the SIDs poll. Furman received the remaining first place votes. The Lady Mocs won their fourth straight regular season title in 2000 with a 15-5 conference record before battling back at the conference tournament to win their fourth tournament crown. Chattanooga lost to Furman in the semifinals and fought back to beat the Lady Paladins for the title.

Furman was selected to finish second in both polls with Georgia Southern picked third. In the coaches poll, College of Charleston and UNC Greensboro tied for the fourth spot followed by UNC Wilmington. Appalachian State and East Tennessee State tied for seventh.

The softball SIDs selected UNC Greensboro to finish fourth, followed by College of Charleston, UNC Wilmington, Appalachian State and East Tennessee State.

The softball season begins Saturday, February 3 when Georgia Southern hosts #17 Florida State at 1:00. Appalachian State and UNC Greensboro open the conference schedule when they meet in Greensboro on February 13 at 2:00 for a doubleheader.

Southern Conference Softball Preseason Polls Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Chattanooga (6)                 62
2. Furman (2)                         54
3. Georgia Southern                46
4. College of Charleston          33
UNC Greensboro               33
6. UNC Wilmington                22
7. Appalachian State               19   
East Tennessee State            19

Preseason SIDs Poll
1. Chattanooga (7)                  63
2. Furman (1)                          56
3. Georgia Southern                 47
4. UNC Greensboro                38
5. College of Charleston           30
6. UNC Wilmington                 28
7. Appalachian State                15
8. East Tennessee State            11