DALLAS, Texas -- Ahead of opening weekend for the 2023 campaign, Conference USA has announced Thursday its Preseason Coaches Poll, All-Conference team and superlatives. The Hilltoppers were predicted to finish second in the 10-team league while Taylor Davis was all named to the Preseason All-Conference squad.
Davis completed the 2022 season with a .397/.447/.436 hitting line, with the .397 batting average marking the third-best season mark in program history. She was named C-USA Second Team All-Conference, All-Tournament Team, and NFCA Third Team All-Region following her senior campaign.
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Voted by the league's head coaches, reigning C-USA Tournament champion North Texas was predicted to finish ahead of the Hilltoppers while Charlotte, LA Tech, and a tie at fifth with Florida Atlantic and UAB rounded out the top five. UTSA, FIU, Middle Tennessee, and UTEP were slotted in the bottom four.
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Davis is one of five outfielders on the preseason team, marking her second nomination to the preseason list after garnering a spot on the 2022 team.
2023 C-USA Softball Preseason Poll
1.  North Texas (9)
2.  WKU
3.  Charlotte (1)
4.  LA Tech
T5. Florida Atlantic
T5. UAB
7.  UTSA
T8. FIU
T8. Â Middle Tennessee
10. UTEP
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2023 C-USA Softball Preseason Player of the Year
Bailey Vannoy, Charlotte
2023 C-USA Softball Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Ashley Peters, North Texas
2023 C-USA Softball Preseason All-Conference Team
Kalei Christensen, North Texas, Jr., C
Sierra Frazier, UAB, Sr., C
Ella Chancey, Charlotte, So., IF
Kailey Gamble, North Texas, Jr., IF
Amanda Gonzalez, LA Tech, Sr., IF
Kat Ibarra, UTSA, Jr., IF
Lindsey Smith, UAB, So., IF
Sara Berthiaume, Florida Atlantic, Sr., OF
Lexi Cobb, North Texas, Jr., OF
Taylor Davis, WKU, Gr., OF
Sierra Sacco, LA Tech, So., OF
Bailey Vannoy, Charlotte, Gr., OF
Marena Estell, UTSA, Gr., DP/UT
Lynn Gardner, Florida Atlantic, Gr., P
Ashley Peters, North Texas, Sr., P
Skylar Savage, North Texas, So., P
How to Follow Hilltopper Softball: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball and Facebook/WKUSoftball.
Davis completed the 2022 season with a .397/.447/.436 hitting line, with the .397 batting average marking the third-best season mark in program history. She was named C-USA Second Team All-Conference, All-Tournament Team, and NFCA Third Team All-Region following her senior campaign.
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Voted by the league's head coaches, reigning C-USA Tournament champion North Texas was predicted to finish ahead of the Hilltoppers while Charlotte, LA Tech, and a tie at fifth with Florida Atlantic and UAB rounded out the top five. UTSA, FIU, Middle Tennessee, and UTEP were slotted in the bottom four.
Â
Davis is one of five outfielders on the preseason team, marking her second nomination to the preseason list after garnering a spot on the 2022 team.
2023 C-USA Softball Preseason Poll
1.  North Texas (9)
2.  WKU
3.  Charlotte (1)
4.  LA Tech
T5. Florida Atlantic
T5. UAB
7.  UTSA
T8. FIU
T8. Â Middle Tennessee
10. UTEP
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2023 C-USA Softball Preseason Player of the Year
Bailey Vannoy, Charlotte
2023 C-USA Softball Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Ashley Peters, North Texas
2023 C-USA Softball Preseason All-Conference Team
Kalei Christensen, North Texas, Jr., C
Sierra Frazier, UAB, Sr., C
Ella Chancey, Charlotte, So., IF
Kailey Gamble, North Texas, Jr., IF
Amanda Gonzalez, LA Tech, Sr., IF
Kat Ibarra, UTSA, Jr., IF
Lindsey Smith, UAB, So., IF
Sara Berthiaume, Florida Atlantic, Sr., OF
Lexi Cobb, North Texas, Jr., OF
Taylor Davis, WKU, Gr., OF
Sierra Sacco, LA Tech, So., OF
Bailey Vannoy, Charlotte, Gr., OF
Marena Estell, UTSA, Gr., DP/UT
Lynn Gardner, Florida Atlantic, Gr., P
Ashley Peters, North Texas, Sr., P
Skylar Savage, North Texas, So., P
How to Follow Hilltopper Softball: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball and Facebook/WKUSoftball.
