Gators ranked #8 in Preseason Poll

Gators Ranked #8 in CSTV / AVCA Preseason Poll
August 8th, 2005

Fourteen time defending Southeastern Conference champion University of Florida earned its ninth consecutive preseason top-10 ranking when the CSTV/AVCA Preseason Coaches Poll pegged the Gators at #8 on Monday afternoon.

Florida returns five starters and nine letterwinners from the 2004 team that won a share of the SEC regular season title, including 2004 SEC Player of the Year Jane Collymore and 2004 SEC Freshman of the Year Angie McGinnis. The Gators, who have also made 14 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Championship, are one of only three schools in the nation to be ranked in the preseason top 10 in each of the last nine seasons. For the first time ever, two teams from the SEC were ranked in the preseason top 10 as Tennessee joined the Gators at number nine.

"This is a direct reflection on the number of starters we have returning," Florida coach Mary Wise said. "We're hoping that last year's experience gained will translate to wins this year. But we all know that no one awards rings for preseason polls."

With the release of the preseason poll, the Gators have been ranked in the top 12 in each of the last 14 years. Florida tallied 997 points, while Tennessee was right behind with 985 points at No. 9. The SEC was one of only three conferences with two teams in the top 10.

The preseason poll confirmed that Florida will face a challenging slate of opponents in 2005 as four opponents were ranked in the top 16: USC (No. 7), Tennessee (No. 9), UCSB (No. 15), Texas A&M (No. 16). In addition, Gator opponents Notre Dame and Colorado each received votes.

Florida begins practice for the season Saturday, Aug. 13, while the Gators will open the 2005 campaign at home on Monday, Aug. 29 by entertaining Jacksonville at 7 p.m. Florida will host its annual Orange and Blue Scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 20 with doors at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center opening at noon for autographs with players and coaches.

Go Gators!!