Rivier Softball Picked #1 in GNAC Preseason Poll

Defending GNAC tournament champion Rivier has been chosen as the softball preseason favorite of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference in a vote conducted by the league’s coaches. The Raiders, who went 16-10 in conference play and 25-14 overall last season to earn the GNAC conference title, received 11 first place votes and a total of 167 points in the GNAC softball preseason poll. Leading the way for the Raiders is preseason All-American second team selection, junior pitcher Monica White. White is a two-time Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Pitcher of the Year and was named the 2008 conference tournament MVP. Monica was also named to the NCAA All-Tournament team after leading the Raiders to the college's first-ever National Tournament victory.

Emerson College, who went 18-8 in conference play last season and 23-17 overall, was selected second in the preseason poll with 141 points. The Lions return first-team all-conference selection junior outfielder Bridget Farago and second-team all-conference selection and one of the 2008 GNAC Co-Rookies of the Year Christina Naramore.

Completing the top eight in the preseason poll in projected order of finish in the regular season standings are Simmons (119), Pine Manor (117), Saint Joseph’s (Maine) (113), Suffolk (105), Lasell (102), and Saint Joseph (CT) (99).

Eight of the 13 Great Northeast Athletic Conference teams will advance to the 2009 GNAC Championship Tournament. The 2009 GNAC Conference semifinals and championships will take place at the number one seed April 25-26. The 2009 GNAC Conference Championship Champion will earn the automatic qualifier in the NCAA DIII Tournament.

1.    Rivier (167)
2.    Emerson (141)
3.    Simmons (119)
4.    Pine Manor (117)
5.    Saint Joseph’s (Maine) (113)
6.    Suffolk (105)
7.    Lasell (102)
8.    Saint Joseph (CT) (99)