COLORADO SPRINGS -- The BYU women's softball team was selected to finish third in the Mountain West Conference this season in a vote by the league coaches. The Cougars trailed San Diego State, which received 23 points and four first-place votes, and Colorado State, which received 21 points and two first-place votes.
San Diego State, the two-time defending regular season champion, captured the top spot in the poll for the second straight season. The 2003 MWC tournament champion Rams placed second in the poll followed by BYU (18 points), Utah (13 points), UNLV (nine points) and New Mexico (six points).
BYU, 36-17 overall (10-7 MWC) in 2003, claimed the third place spot in this season's poll after finishing third in conference play last year. The Cougars return seven starters this season, including junior MWC All-Tournament catcher Lauren Watson and sophomore All-MWC third baseman Ianeta Le`i.
The Aztecs, coming off a 39-21 overall record (12-3 MWC) last season and a second place finish in the MWC Championship, return 15 letterwinners this season, including the 2002 MWC Pitcher and Freshman of the Year Celena Velasquez. The Rams, (37-15 overall, 13-7 MWC) who captured last season's MWC tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Regionals for only the second time in school history, will be led by 2003 Co-Player of the Year Steph Roberts (junior, second baseman).
The Utes (20-27 overall, 7-9 MWC) were picked to finish fourth this season after finishing fourth in conference play last season. In fifth place is UNLV (21-39 overall, 4-14 MWC), while New Mexico rounded out the voting in sixth place (25-37-1 overall, 7-13 MWC).
The 2004 BYU softball season starts on Feb. 4 at the Hawai`i Paradise Classic, hosted by the University of Hawai`i.
Preseason MWC Softball Coaches' Poll
Place Team (1st place votes) Points
1 San Diego State (4) 23
2 Colorado State (2) 21
3 BYU 18
4 Utah 13
5 UNLV 9
6 New Mexico 6