West Texas A&M is ranked number 1 in the first 2016 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll due to their undefeated 16-0 start to the season. They received 12 of 16 first place votes. The University of Alabama in Huntsville is ranked number 2, while the University of Indianapolis is ranked number 3. Humboldt State rose to number 4 from number 13 after starting the season 9-1-1, including a win over then number 2 Dixie State. The University of Missouri-St. Louis is ranked number 5 with an undefeated 10-0 record to begin the season.

1. National Fastpitch Coaches Association
Contact: Brian Stanley, NFCA Director of Media Relations,
502-409-4600, brian@nfca.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 24, 2016
Undefeated start has West Texas A&M No. 1 in NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Courtesy of a 16-0 start to the season, West Texas A&M vaulted to the No. 1
ranking in the first 2016 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll of the regular season. The Lady Buffs
took home 12 of 16 first-place votes and 386 points.
West Texas A&M moved up 21 spots in a poll that saw a lot of movement and has several new faces. In all,
eight programs join the rankings, including six that were not in the preseason poll. The Lady Buffs have put
together an impressive start to the season, which includes wins at then-No. 2 Dixie State, versus then-No.
13 Humboldt State and No. 12 St. Mary’s. WT is batting .446 and averaging 11.8 runs per game, scoring
seven or more in 15 of its 16 contests. They are also doing it in the circle, recording six shutouts and
allowing two or fewer runs six other times.
The University Alabama in Huntsville rolls in at No. 2 with 365 points with the University of Indianapolis
right on its heels at No. 3 with 364 points and four first-place nods. The Chargers (16-2) are currently
riding a 13-game winning streak and own a victory over preseason No. 1 North Georgia, which also handed
UAH one of its two defeats. The Greyhounds (3-0) opened their season last weekend with a pair of road
wins at Montevallo (9-1 / 12-2) and triumph over West Georgia (6-1) in Florence, Ala.
Behind a 9-1-1 start, Humboldt State (338 points) rises to No. 4 from No. 13 and undefeated University of
Missouri-St. Louis is your fifth-ranked program with 319 points. The Jacks put in a strong showing at the
Dixie State’s tournament with a victory over the hosts (4-1) and a one-run defeat (3-2) to new No. 1 West
Texas A&M. In its league opener, Humboldt State swept a four-game series at then-No. 25 and defending
CCAA champs Cal State Monterey Bay. The Tritons (10-0) moved up two spots with their hot start and
have not conceded a run in their last seven games.
Arkansas Tech (310) and Catawba (304) come in at No. 6 and No. 7. Coming off a four-game Great
American Conference sweep against Ouachita Baptist, the Golden Suns (12-1) have mustered 10 straight
wins, including an 8-2 defeat of then-No. 16 Missouri Western. The Indians are off to a 10-0 start,
matching the school record for most consecutive wins, including an upset of then-No. 9 Georgia College
(3-2).
North Alabama (278) joins the poll at No. 8 having recorded the most wins (18) in Division II. The Lions
(18-4) started the season 10-0 and own two wins over then-No. 6 Valdosta State in Gulf South Conference
play.
Rounding out the Top-10 is No. 9 California (Pa.) with 275 points and No. 10 Georgia College (261). The
Vulcans bounced back from a season-opening setback to New Haven (3-2) with three wins over West
Liberty (18-1), Winston-Salem State (6-3) and Felician (9-3). The Bobcats (13-2) opened with 12-straight
triumphs, sweeping through their Bobcat Kickoff Tournament and Columbus State’s Cougar Classic,
before dropping two of their last three to Catawba and Lenoir Rhyne.
Joining the ranks in the first regular season poll are California Baptist (11th
/ 13-3), Central Oklahoma (13th
/
11-3), Saint Leo (14th
/ 9-0), UC San Diego (17th
/ 13-3) and Lenoir Rhyne (19th
/ 11-1). Falling out of the
poll were Shorter, Adelphi, Missouri Western, Sonoma State, Augustana, Regis, Southern Indiana and Cal
State Monterey Bay.

2. The NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by 16 NCAA Division II head coaches, two
representing each of the eight NCAA regions. Records reflect games played through Feb. 21.
2016 NFCA Division II Softball Coaches Poll
Regular Season | Feb. 24, 2016
Rank Team Points 2016 Record Last Poll
1 West Texas A&M (12) 386 16-0 22
2 UAH 365 16-2 18
3 Indianapolis (4) 364 3-0 5
4 Humboldt State 338 9-1-1 13
5 Missouri-St. Louis 319 10-0 7
6 Arkansas Tech 310 12-1 NR
7 Catawba 304 10-0 NR
8 North Alabama 278 18-4 RV
9 California (Pa.) 275 3-1 4
10 Georgia College 261 13-2 9
11 California Baptist 225 13-3 RV
12 St. Mary's 218 12-5 12
13 Central Oklahoma 204 11-3 NR
14 Saint Leo 198 9-0 NR
15 Caldwell 154 0-0 17
16 West Virginia Wesleyan 142 0-0 15
17 UC San Diego 132 13-3 NR
18 Valdosta State 126 12-3-1 6
19 Lenoir Rhyne 99 11-1 NR
20 Tarleton State 92 12-5 10
21 Winona State 76 5-1 10
22 North Georgia 68 10-4 1
23 Southern New Hampshire 60 0-0 23
24 Florida Tech 53 13-2 14

3. 25 Dixie State 52 8-3 2
Others Receiving Votes: Southern Indiana (33), West Chester (19), Shorter (17), LIU Post (14), New
Haven (7), Central Washington (4), Texas A&M University-Commerce (4), Pittsburg State (2), Armstrong
State (1).