UVA-Wise Picked in Tie for Preseason AAC Softball Favorite

January 29, 2007

Wise, VA – The most successful athletic team on the University of Virginia’s College at Wise campus in the past five years is expected to continue its run in the spring of 2007. Winners of four of the past five Appalachian Athletic Conference crowns including three in a row, the Lady Cavs’ softball team is predicted in a tie with Tennessee Wesleyan in the league’s preseason poll.

The Lady Cavs earned two first place votes in the AAC preseason poll. The team tied Tennessee Wesleyan, who also two first place votes, with 42 points for the top spot. Milligan College was picked to finish first by three different league coaches and is slated in third (41 points). King College had the last remaining first place vote and was fourth (32) followed by Union (21), Virginia Intermont (20), Montreat (19) and Bluefield (7).

Head coach Tori Raby-Gentry has led UVA-Wise to a 73-38 record her first two seasons at the helm. The Lady Cavs captured their first AAC tournament title, won 35 games (35-16) for the second year and advanced to the loser’s bracket final of the NAIA Region XII playoffs. In 2005, the squad (38-22) made the program’s first trip to the NAIA National Championships and first NAIA Region XII crown.

The third-year brings back a good mix of experience and youth for the 2007 campaign. The Lady Cavs will be led by two-time All-Region and All-AAC catcher Shelley Newton ( Chesapeake, VA) along with seniors first baseman Alicia King ( Castlewood, VA) and third baseman Amber Quillen ( Kingsport, TN).

UVA-Wise opens its 2007 season in around three weeks at the Reinhardt College Invitational from May 16 th through the 18 th for five games.