January 31, 2007
Contact: Mike Christie, Sports Information Director

Methodist Picked as USA South Softball Favorite

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - Methodist University, under the direction of ninth-year Head Coach Ron Simpson, was picked to win the USA South Athletic Conference 2007 softball title in the preseason coaches' poll.  The Monarchs were both the conference regular season and tournament champions in 2006.

Methodist received five of eight first-place votes (46 points) as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

Greensboro College finished second in the balloting as The Pride received 39 points and one first-place vote. Followed closely behind were Christopher Newport University and N.C. Wesleyan College. CNU finished third in the balloting with 35 points while NCWC rounded out the top-four by collecting 33 points and the remaining two first-place votes.

The 2007 USA South Softball Tournament will played at Springwood Park in Burlington, N.C. on April 13-15.
 

2007 USA South Softball Coaches Poll
Rank	Institution (1st place Votes)	Pts.
1.	Methodist (5)	46
2.	Greensboro (1)	39
3.	Christopher Newport	35
4	N.C. Wesleyan (2)	33
5.	Ferrum	29
6.	Peace	19
7.	Shenandoah	16
8.	Averett	7