Bonnie Ryan
GoSycamores.com

The Indiana State softball team was selected ninth in the 2010 Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Softball Poll released Wednesday, the league office announced. The Sycamores received 21 points, just ahead of Evansville (17).

Creighton, which has won three straight regular-season MVC titles, was the conference coaches' preseason pick to claim the 2010 crown. The Bluejays received eight first-place votes for 97 points, while Southern Illinois (85) and Northern Iowa (77) were picked second and third, respectively. Drake (71) came in fourth, followed by Illinois State (66), Wichita State (47), Missouri State (36) and Bradley (33).

In 2008-09, Indiana State finished eighth in the final MVC standings and had three seniors -- Katie Armour, Meredith Simpson and Darcy Wood -- honored as first-team All-MVC. The Sycamores also earned their second MVC Softball Championship semifinal appearance in program history, going 2-1 in the league tournament.

The Sycamores open play for the 2009-10 season on Friday, Feb. 19 with a doubleheader against Appalachian State and McNeese State at the Memphis Tournament in Memphis, Tenn. ISU's home slate begins Wednesday, March 17 with a doubleheader against SEMO at Price Field.

2010 Preseason Missouri Valley Conference Softball Poll