North Carolina State University Athletics
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No. 23 NC State Softball Picked to Finish Third in ACC Preseason Poll
2/8/2016 4:48:00 PM | Softball
Wolfpack tied with Louisville for third in preseason voting
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The 23rd-ranked NC State softball team was chosen to finish third in the 2016 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) preseason poll by the league's 11 head coaches, announced Monday by the conference office.
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NC State collected 74 points in the poll to share third place with Louisville. Florida State was voted as the preseason favorite with 99 points (Nine first-place votes), while Notre Dame was projected to finish second with 92 points and two first-place votes. Head coaches were not allowed to include their own team on the ballot.
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North Carolina was picked fifth with 69 points. Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh were chosen sixth and seventh with 52 and 51 points, respectively. Boston College claimed eighth (30), while Syracuse (27), Georgia Tech (24) and Virginia (13) rounded out the poll.
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The Wolfpack returns seven starters from last year's squad, including 2015 All-ACC selection Tyler Ross, who broke the program record with 55 runs batted in (RBI). NC State also welcomes Hanna Sommer back to the lineup after missing the 2015 season with an injury.
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The Pack opens the 2016 campaign Friday, Feb. 12, in Jacksonville, Fla., against Coastal Carolina. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m.
ACC Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Â Â Florida State - 99 points (9 first-place votes)
2.  Notre Dame - 92 (2)
T3. NC State - 74
T3. Â Louisville - 74
5.  North Carolina - 69
6.  Virginia Tech - 52
7.  Pitt - 51
8.   Boston College - 30
9.  Syracuse - 27
10. Â Georgia Tech - 24
11. Â Virginia - 13Â Â
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#STATEment
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NC State collected 74 points in the poll to share third place with Louisville. Florida State was voted as the preseason favorite with 99 points (Nine first-place votes), while Notre Dame was projected to finish second with 92 points and two first-place votes. Head coaches were not allowed to include their own team on the ballot.
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North Carolina was picked fifth with 69 points. Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh were chosen sixth and seventh with 52 and 51 points, respectively. Boston College claimed eighth (30), while Syracuse (27), Georgia Tech (24) and Virginia (13) rounded out the poll.
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The Wolfpack returns seven starters from last year's squad, including 2015 All-ACC selection Tyler Ross, who broke the program record with 55 runs batted in (RBI). NC State also welcomes Hanna Sommer back to the lineup after missing the 2015 season with an injury.
Â
The Pack opens the 2016 campaign Friday, Feb. 12, in Jacksonville, Fla., against Coastal Carolina. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m.
ACC Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Â Â Florida State - 99 points (9 first-place votes)
2.  Notre Dame - 92 (2)
T3. NC State - 74
T3. Â Louisville - 74
5.  North Carolina - 69
6.  Virginia Tech - 52
7.  Pitt - 51
8.   Boston College - 30
9.  Syracuse - 27
10. Â Georgia Tech - 24
11. Â Virginia - 13Â Â
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#STATEment
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