DENVER The USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced the preseason Top 25 with Fresno State earning a No. 16 ranking. Hawai`i earned 37 votes, just 13 votes from No. 25 South Florida.
The Bulldogs ended the 2001 season with a 39-19 record, advancing to NCAA Regionals for the 20th-straight season. Hawai`i went to its fifth NCAA Regional after finishing 2001 with a 46-18 record. Defending national champion, Arizona, opens the season at No. 1. The PAC 10 holds the top three spots with Arizona, UCLA and Stanford, respectively.
The Western Athletic Conference coaches voted Hawai`i to win the WAC by a narrow 34-33 margin over Fresno State. This is the first time in seven years that a team other than Fresno State was voted to take the top spot in the WAC.
The coaches also voted on 2001 preseason award winners. Hawai`i shortstop Kate Judd was voted preseason Player of the Year, while Fresno States Jamie Southern earned preseason Pitcher of the Year honors.