No. 24 Bulldogs tabbed MW preseason favorite

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The 2017 Mountain West coaches have chosen No. 24 Fresno State as the conference favorite in a preseason poll, the MW announced on Tuesday. This is the third-straight season that the Bulldogs have placed first in this poll.

"At this point in the year we are focused on preseason and the process of getting better every day," Fresno State head coach Linda Garza said. "While we are humbled by the results of this poll, there are respectable programs who have competed well in conference and will be giving us a run for our money this year."

The 'Dogs received 59 points and four first-place votes in the poll, while San Diego State is close behind with 57 points and three first-place votes, followed by San Jose State with 55 points and two first-place votes.

This is the first time since Fresno State joined the MW in 2013 that three teams have received at least two first-place votes.

Rounding out the poll are Utah State (33), Nevada (32), Colorado State (27), UNLV (27), New Mexico (26) and Boise State (8).

The Bulldogs return 13 student-athletes, including 2016 MW Player of the Year Kierra Willis (2016: .345 BA, 11 HR, 45 RBIs) and fellow all-conference selections Lindsey Willmon (2016: .363 BA, 12 HR, 48 RBIs) and Malia Rivers (.306 BA, 56 hits, 32 runs, 14 SB).

Also on Tuesday, the Bulldogs were ranked the No. 24 team in the country according to the USA Today/NFCA Division I Preseason Coaches' Poll, the first time the 'Dogs have appeared in the preseason Top 25 since 2010.

Fresno State opens its season on the road for its first 10 contests of the year with stops at the Arizona State Kajikawa Classic (Feb. 10-12) and the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge (Feb. 16-19), before returning home for the Bulldog Classic (Feb. 23-26).

2017 MW Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Pl.           Team (1^st place votes)   Points
1.            Fresno State (4)              59
2.            San Diego State (3)           57
3.            San José State (2)            55
4.            Utah State 33
5.            Nevada                             32
T6.          Colorado State                  27
T6.          UNLV                               27
8.            New Mexico                     26
9.            Boise State 8

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.

Fresno State Athletics

No. 24 Bulldogs tabbed MW preseason favorite

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Malia Rivers

Kierra Willis

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