LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University softball team will enter the upcoming season in a familiar place as the Lady Eagles have been tabbed as the nation’s top team heading into the 2009 campaign.

The Lady Eagles are ranked No. 1 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Preseason Poll, which was released today (Wednesday, Jan. 28).

Lock Haven received six of 16 first place votes and 388 of 400 possible points.

Behind Lock Haven sits Humbolt State (374 pts.), who received the other 10 first-place votes and St. Edwards (358 pts.) rounds out the top three.

Two other Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) schools are in the top-20 with Kutztown ranked 12th and Bloomsburg sitting at No. 15

LHU head coach Kelley Green is pleased with the honor of the No. 1 ranking and excited to begin the new season

"We certainly appreciate the recognition, but all 23 of our student-athletes and coaches know it's not where we are at the beginning of the year, but at the end of the year that truly matters,” Green said. “Our players are committed to the process of improving each day and we are looking forward to putting our best out on the field each day."

The Lady Eagles will travel to the Aloha State to kick off the 2009 season. LHU is set to take on the University of Hawaii at Hilo on Saturday, Feb. 28.

For full NFCA release and poll, click on the following link.