Storm receiving votes in latest NFCA Top 25 Poll
INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Simpson softball team is receiving votes in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Top 25 Poll, released Wednesday, March 9.
The poll is selected by Division III head coaches representing the eight NCAA regions and reflect results through Sunday, March 6.
The Storm received two votes, appearing in the poll for the first time this season. Simpson was 10-3 through Sunday's games and are currently 14-3 (through Wednesday's games) on the strength of an eight-game winning streak.
Simpson last appeared in the Top 25 on April 8, 2015 at No. 22. The Storm climbed as high as No. 10 last season.
Last year's national runnerup Texas-Tyler remained in the top spot for the third straight week, followed by Washington (Mo.) at No. 2 and Christopher Newport at No. 3. Emory (No. 4) and defending national champion Tufts (No. 5) round out the top five.
NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll - March 9, 2016
| Rank | Team (1st-place votes) | 2016 Record | Previous |
| 1 | Texas-Tyler (7) | 11-2 | 1 |
| 2 | Washington (Mo.) | 8-0 | 3 |
| 3 | Christopher Newport | 10-0 | 2 |
| 4 | Emory | 11-1 | t4 |
| 5 | Tufts | 0-0 | t4 |
| 6 | Texas Lutheran | 12-0 | 8 |
| 7 | East Texas Baptist | 10-3 | 6 |
| 8 | Virginia Wesleyan | 9-1 | 7 |
| 9 | Luther | 7-1 | 9 |
| 10 | Berry | 13-1 | 12 |
| t11 | Alfred | 0-0 | 10 |
| t11 | Salisbury | 6-3 | 11 |
| 13 | Illinois Wesleyan | 0-0 | 13 |
| 14 | Heidelberg | 0-0 | t14 |
| 15 | St. John Fisher | 9-1 | NR |
| 16 | Wheaton (Mass.) | 0-0 | 17 |
| 17 | Central (Iowa) | 5-1 | 20 |
| 18 | Cortland | 0-0 | 22 |
| 19 | Moravian | 2-0 | 21 |
| 20 | Lake Forest | 0-2 | 18 |
| 21 | Gustavus Adolphus | 4-0 | 25 |
| 22 | Alma | 7-3 | 24 |
| 23 | Linfield | 6-4 | t14 |
| t24 | Kean | 2-2 | 16 |
| t24 | Wis.-Oshkosh | 3-1 | 23 |
Others receiving votes: St. Catherine 20, Rowan 19, St. Thomas (Minn.) 4, Wheaton (Ill.) 3, Ramapo 2, Simpson 2, Wis.-Eau Claire 1.
