LA MIRADA, Calif. --- It's the beginning of an exciting new era of Biola Softball in 2019 as the Eagles gear up for their first year under new head coach Nikki Udria and play what should be their final year as provisional members of NCAA Division II.

Biola laid the groundwork for this year with a 16-16 PacWest Conference mark in their inaugural season in the league. That performance, combined with a large number of returning players and promising newcomers, earned the respect of the conference teams and helped Biola be voted number two in the 2019 PacWest Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.

"We are super excited for the season to get started and to display all the hard work we have put into improving our game during the fall," said Udria. "It is such a great accomplishment to see that the Biola Softball program is counted as a competitive program in the running to be PacWest Champions. Our focus is one game at a time and to play each game like it is our last time on the field using our gifts to glorify God."

Last year's champs, Concordia Irvine, were selected to finish first in the coaches' poll, earning seven of the 10 first-place votes and accumulating 89 total points in the poll. Biola was one of three teams to earn at least one first-place vote (CUI - 7, ART U - 2, BU - 1) and came in second with 82 total points. Azusa Pacific brought up third place with 80 total points.

Despite the two first-place votes Academy of Art, under first-year head coach Alex Gomez, brought in just 62 total points and is listed fifth in the poll.

Concordia Irvine went 26-6 last season to earn the championship, edging second-place California Baptist by one game. CBU (25-7) and third-place Dixie State (22-8) are no longer members of the PacWest Conference.

Biola finished seventh last season with its 16-16 mark. The Eagles were in the top three for most of the season though, thanks to an incredible 10-2 start to their PacWest season (including six-straight wins to start). This year's team will be eager to avoid a late fall-off and compete throughout the whole year.

The Eagles are led by four Preseason All-PacWest selections and three returning all-conference players. Areana Ramos was the 2018 PacWest Newcomer of the Year and landed on the all-conference third team alongside Paige Austin. Kayla Neff is the other returning all-conference player, being the conference's second team catcher one year ago.

All three of those ladies were voted Preseason All-PacWest by the conference coaches, as was senior designated player Hailey Boyett. Boyett didn't get conference honors last season but sure had a whale of a season anyway. She was second to Ramos in most offensive categories as she put together a career year highlighted by a .341 batting average, six homeruns and 31 RBI.

Biola is the only team in the conference with four preaseason all-conference selections. APU is the next best with three. Three teams have zero representation.

Neff was the only catcher named preseason all-conference. Ramos was one of three outfielders. Boyett was the only DP and Paige Austin was one of three pitchers. Austin should be set up for a nice battle with CUI sophomore Callie Nunes as potential conference pitcher of the year winners.

Biola Softball begins its 2019 slate with a non-conference road doubleheader against Vanguard on Friday, Feb. 1. The Eagles' first home contest is the next day as they host CSU San Marcos for a doubleheader on the second.