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QUINCY, ILL. -- The Quincy University softball team has been picked fifth in the 2008 Great Lakes Valley Conference Preseason Poll. The Lady Hawks received 110 total points in the poll, which is voted on by the coaches in the GLVC.

"After the team finished fourth in the conference last season, the program is gaining respect and I think that this preseason poll shows that," said Lady Hawks head coach Charlene Obert. "The team is looking forward to making even more strides this year."

Quincy finished the 2007 season with a 27-22 overall record, their most wins in three seasons, and advanced to the GLVC Postseason Tournament where they picked up their first ever win in the tournament. The Lady Hawks return six starters from last year's team including the GLVC's home run leader and Daktronics Great Lakes All-Region performer, junior catcher Jasmyn Wentland.

SIU Edwardsville was picked to finish first with 168 total points, including 12 first-place votes. Lewis was picked second with 157 total points and two first-place votes. Missouri S&T was picked third with 140 points and was followed by Southern Indiana with 131 points. After Quincy, Wisconsin-Parkside was picked sixth with 109 points while Northern Kentucky and Saint Joseph's each tied for seventh with 91 points. Indianapolis was picked ninth with 89 points, Missouri-St. Louis was picked 10th with 52 points and Kentucky Wesleyan was chosen 11th with 47 points. Bellarmine with 36 points, Drury with 33 points and Rockhurst with 20 points round out the final three.

For more information log on to www.glvcsports.org.