The Nebraska Wesleyan University softball team was picked to finish seventh in the 2010 preseason Great Plains Athletic Conference Coaches' poll that was released on Tuesday (Jan. 26). The poll was voted on by all 12 coaches with points awarded on a 12-1 basis and coaches could not vote for their own team.

Morningside College, champions of the GPAC regular season in 2009, garnered 139 points and eight first place votes to earn the top spot in the poll. Midland Lutheran is picked second with 132 points and three first place votes. The final two first place votes went to Hastings, champions of the GPAC post season last spring. The Broncos are picked third with 126 points.

NWU head coach Lance Kingery, the all-time wins leader in NWU softball history, begins his ninth season leading the Prairie Wolves. Kingery returns six starters and 11 letterwinners from the 2009 team that finished 20-16 overall and 12-10 in the GPAC. The Prairie Wolves bring back their top pitcher and top hitter from last year's team.

Nebraska Wesleyan will open the 2010 season in Tucson, Arizona where they will play eight games at the Tucson Invitational from March 14-17.

2010 GPAC Softball Coaches' Poll