March 29, 2008
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Embarking on an 11-game winning streak, the UCF softball team received a vote in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 poll released earlier this week, tying them for No. 33 in the nation with Maryland and Florida State. The Knights are 29-14 on the season and have won 15 of their last 17 contests, while registering a 8-3 Conference USA mark.
The vote marks the first time since 2004 that the Knights have been given a tally in the coaches' poll, posting a No. 30 ranking and finishing the season with a 42-21 record that year.
UCF was one of two Conference USA schools to grace the poll, with Houston posting the No. 11 ranking for the second-consecutive week.
The first edition of the NFCA/Warren Nolan Division I Softball Ratings Percentage Index was also released this week, with the Knights ranking in at No. 38 in the country. UCF's position was the second-highest, behind Houston, in the league and third highest among Division I schools in the state of Florida, trailing first-place Florida and 33rd-place Florida State.
The RPI was based on UCF's record prior to its doubleheader sweep of Marshall Saturday afternoon.
The index also rated teams on their strength-of-schedule for the 2008 season, with the Knights ranking in at No. 34. The Black and Gold has faced four teams among this week's Top 25, while playing two teams receiving votes, securing wins over both No. 18 Baylor and No. 20 Long Beach State. UCF is also set to play No. 11 Houston on April 5-6 and Florida State on April 9 at the UCF Softball Complex, while trying to reschedule at game at No. 3 Florida after getting rained out earlier in the season.
Season tickets for the 2008 season are still available and can be purchased by calling 407-UCF-1000. For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also check out UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pics
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