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)
