Tar Heels Ranked No. 25 In USA Today/NFCA Coaches' Poll

Jan. 25, 2011

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- After advancing to a school-record eight consecutive NCAA Regionals, the North Carolina softball program opens the 2011 season ranked No. 25 in the preseason USA Today/NFCA coaches' poll. The top 25 poll, voted on by division I head coaches, features four 2011 Tar Heel opponents in the top 18. Two ACC schools are rated in the top 25 as Carolina joins Georgia Tech (No. 18).

UNC returns 14 letter winners from a team that registered a 42-20 mark and No. 24 final national ranking a year ago. The Tar Heels add six new freshmen and two new assistant coaches' in 2011. Carolina posted a perfect 5-0 mark this fall and will look to advance to their 10th straight NCAA Regional this spring.

Reigning 2010 National Champion UCLA headlines the poll ranking preseason No. 1. The Bruins are followed by 2010 national runner-up Arizona and four SEC schools led by No. 3 Georgia. The Pac-10 leads all conferences with seven teams in the top 25. The SEC is not far behind with five teams.

Notable 2011 opponents include a three game set at No. 5 Florida Feb. 19-20. The Tar Heels also challenge No. 6 Alabama twice March 11-12 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. From March 4-6 UNC will play in the ESPN Rise Tournament against No. 14 Oregon, Notre Dame and Long Island. Both the Irish and Blackbirds are receiving votes in the preseason top 25 poll. UCF, another 2011 opponent (March 8), is also receiving votes in the poll.

The ACC sent a league-record five teams to the NCAA Tournament in 2010. Georgia Tech (No. 18), UNC (No. 25) and Florida State are the only league teams receiving recognition in the preseason poll. The Seminoles are receiving 22 votes. A complete top 25 poll can be viewed here.

The Tar Heels open the 2011 season Feb. 11 against Kansas in Jacksonville, Fla. For more Carolina softball updates, check back into THB.com.

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