RIPON, Wis. - The Red Hawk softball team is coming off a season that saw them finish second in the Midwest Conference North Division with a 9-4 conference record. Despite losing four starters, Ripon is expected to finish about the same this season, as they were picked to finish second in the MWC preseason coaches poll.

Ripon received one of five possible first-place votes, with the other four going to St. Norbert, who was picked to repeat as MWC North Division champions. Lawrence was voted third, while Beloit and Carroll were picked to finish fourth and fifth, respectively.

The South Division was picked to finish exactly how last season ended, with Lake Forest at the top spot, receiving three of the five first-place votes. Illinois College, who was picked to finish second, received the other two first-place votes. Monmouth was voted third, while Grinnell and Knox rounded out the poll in fourth and fifth place, respectively.