OKLAHOMA CITY – The Virginia Tech softball team received its highest preseason ranking in school history Tuesday afternoon, checking in at the No. 10 spot in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Preseason Top 25.
The Hokies move up three spots from the final rankings of the 2021 season, which had them at No. 13. This is the highest preseason ranking for the Hokies from ESPN.com/USA Softball since 2008 when Tech was ranked No. 15. The highest overall ranking in school history came at the conclusion of the 2008 season when the Hokies earned a No. 8 ranking by the NFCA.
The 2022 schedule pits the Hokies against eight Top 25 teams, including three to open the season with No. 12 Missouri, No. 20 Kentucky and No. 24 Northwestern. Virginia Tech will also take on No. 2 Alabama in non-conference play, as well as No. 6 Florida State, No. 14 Clemson and No. 18 Duke in ACC play.
Virginia Tech opens the season on Feb. 11 in Leesburg, Fla., playing in the inaugural Northern Lights/Southern Nights Tournament. The Hokies will play their first games in Blacksburg on March 9, hosting Norfolk State in a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.
The Hokies are coming off a memorable and historic 2021 season, culminating in the program's second ever appearance in the NCAA Super Regionals. The NFCA Mid-Atlantic Staff of the Year returns the majority of their starting lineup, including All-American Keely Rochard, from the 2021 squad and adds a talented group of newcomers set to make an impact during the 2022 season.