University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI softball picked first for second year in a row in MVC Preseason Poll
1/31/2023 10:10:00 AM | Softball
ST LOUIS -- For the first time in program history, UNI softball was selected as the Missouri Valley Conference preseason favorite in back-to-back years.
Northern Iowa picked up nine first-place votes from MVC league coaches to nab the top spot in the preseason poll. The Panthers received 140 points in the poll, putting them ahead of Valley newcomers Murray State at 126 points. The Racers were one of three other teams that received a first-place vote but the only team in the Top Five in the coaches poll.
This is the first time UNI has been picked as back-to-back preseason favorites since the Panthers joined the Missouri Valley Conference in 1993. Along with being the top team in the preseason poll, UNI had four players named to the All-MVC Preseason Team. Catcher Emmy Wells, outfielder Mya Dodge, pitcher Kailyn Packard, and outfielder Madison Parks all received preseason honors from conference head coaches.
UNI finished the 2022 season with the Valley regular season title after a record-setting year. The Panthers return almost all their MVC regular season winning lineup from 2022 but have two notable losses. Outfielder Kamryn Shaffer graduated from UNI with a degree in communication disorders, while MVC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year Emmy Wells will be sidelined after having Tommy John surgery in the fall.
Despite those losses, the Panthers roster remains stacked with pitching ace Kailyn Packard, MVC Freshman of the Year Mya Dodge, and All-MVC First Team second baseman Taylor Hogan returning. New notable additions to UNI include two power-hitting freshman in catcher/third baseman Alexis Pupillo and infielder Kate Lappe, freshman utility player Adalyn Reynolds, and outfield JUCO transfer Gretta Hartz.
With a familiar roster and exciting new additions, the Panthers look to again capture the MVC regular season title and go to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years.
Northern Iowa picked up nine first-place votes from MVC league coaches to nab the top spot in the preseason poll. The Panthers received 140 points in the poll, putting them ahead of Valley newcomers Murray State at 126 points. The Racers were one of three other teams that received a first-place vote but the only team in the Top Five in the coaches poll.
This is the first time UNI has been picked as back-to-back preseason favorites since the Panthers joined the Missouri Valley Conference in 1993. Along with being the top team in the preseason poll, UNI had four players named to the All-MVC Preseason Team. Catcher Emmy Wells, outfielder Mya Dodge, pitcher Kailyn Packard, and outfielder Madison Parks all received preseason honors from conference head coaches.
UNI finished the 2022 season with the Valley regular season title after a record-setting year. The Panthers return almost all their MVC regular season winning lineup from 2022 but have two notable losses. Outfielder Kamryn Shaffer graduated from UNI with a degree in communication disorders, while MVC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year Emmy Wells will be sidelined after having Tommy John surgery in the fall.
Despite those losses, the Panthers roster remains stacked with pitching ace Kailyn Packard, MVC Freshman of the Year Mya Dodge, and All-MVC First Team second baseman Taylor Hogan returning. New notable additions to UNI include two power-hitting freshman in catcher/third baseman Alexis Pupillo and infielder Kate Lappe, freshman utility player Adalyn Reynolds, and outfield JUCO transfer Gretta Hartz.
With a familiar roster and exciting new additions, the Panthers look to again capture the MVC regular season title and go to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years.
Players Mentioned
OF/UT
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
UT/P
/ Softball
3B/C/UT
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
C/1B
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