McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University softball team has been predicted to defend its title as the top team in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) for the upcoming season. This prediction comes after the Titans secured the leading position in the league's annual preseason coaches poll, announced on February 7.

The Titans received eight out of nine first-place votes, earning them a total of 64 points. North Central followed closely behind, securing second place with one first-place vote and 51 points. Millikin completed the top three with 50 points.

Other teams ranked in the poll include Augustana at fourth place with 49 points, Carthage at fifth with 35 points, and North Park at sixth with 26 points. Carroll, Wheaton, and Elmhurst occupied the seventh through ninth positions respectively.

Illinois Wesleyan finished last season with an overall record of 31-12 and claimed both the CCIW Regular Season title and tournament victory, which granted them an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The team returns six First Team All-CCIW honorees: seniors Jen Kuhn and Ava Khoury; juniors Casey Wissmiller, Anna Beckman, Gianna Certa; and sophomore Hailey Milgazo. These players form part of a strong core that contributed significantly to last year's achievements.

Head coach Tiffany Prager leads the Titans alongside her coaching staff, who have been recognized as CCIW Coaching Staff of the Year three times. The team's season opener is scheduled for February 21 against Washington University in St. Louis, starting at 1 p.m.