PROVO -- For the first time in program history, BYU softball is ranked in the Preseason Top-25. The Cougars are ranked No. 25 by the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate poll.
BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said it is nice to be recognized as a talented team going into the 2006 season.
"It's nice to see the girls' hard work get recognized," Eakin said. "Even though the preseason polls don't mean a whole lot, it does show that we are getting some respect."
The Cougars are returning a plethora of talent from a squad that posted a 45-14 record last season. In 2005, BYU won both the regular season and Mountain West Conference crowns.
BYU plays its first games of the year when it travels to Hawaii for a tournament beginning Feb. 9 against Southern Mississippi.
The Cougars will play three Preseason Top-25 squads in Texas A&M (No. 6), Stanford (No. 9), Oregon State (No. 12) and DePaul (No. 16).
"Being ranked will probably prevent us from sneaking up on our opponents," Eakin said. "But our girls will be up for the challenge."
2006 ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25
Pre-Season Poll
1.Michigan
2.UCLA
3.Tennessee
4.Texas
5.Arizona
6.Texas A&M
7.Cal
8.Alabama
9.Stanford
10.Baylor
11.Georgia
12.Oregon State
13.Oklahoma
14.Washington
15.Northwestern
16.DePaul
17.Fresno State
18.Missouri
19.Iowa
20.Auburn
21.Louisiana-Lafayette
22.Nebraska
23.Florida
24.Georgia Tech
25.BYU