LA MIRADA, Calif. --- The PacWest Conference released its preseason softball coaches' poll on Tuesday. Biola Softball was selected by the conference's head coaches to finish fourth out of the 10 teams. Kayla Neff headlined the individual preseason honors with her selection as Preseason Player of the Year.

"I am pleased with our positioning in the top-4 for our conference rankings," said Head Coach Nikki Udria. "I think we lost a huge senior class with a lot of talent, but I am also very encouraged by our freshman and other returning players. I am excited to see our team take the field on Friday and get one step closer to our first run at an NCAA Division II National Championship." 

The Eagles went 19-11 in conference play in 2019, finishing with the second-fewest conference losses. It was the Eagles' second year in the PacWest and was an improvement on the team's 16-16 conference record the previous year.

Concordia Irvine, which went 30-3 in PacWest play in 2019, was selected as the unanimous favorite in the preseason poll. CUI led the poll with 100 total points. They were followed by Hawaii Hilo (81), Azusa Pacific (78) and Biola (70) rounding out the top-4.

Joining Neff on the preseason all-conference team is junior pitching ace, Paige Austin. Neff and Austin make up two of the 12 total preseason all-conference spots. The top-4 teams in the poll combine to take up 11 of the 12 total preseason all-conference nods. McKenzie Schumacher of Dominican (ranked 7th) was that 12th player.

Neff won PacWest Player of the Year in 2019 after hitting .430 with 24 extra-base hits and 34 RBI. She had an OPS of 1.213 in what was a tremendous year both at the plate and behind it as Biola's starting catcher.

"I am excited for Kayla as she has worked extremely hard and is such a great leader for our program. I am excited to see her lean into the Lord and trust His plans for her this season as she competes with the title of PacWest Player of the Year, while also learning to embrace the title and respect that is deserved as she steps onto the field," said Udria. "My hope for Kayla is that this would encourage her to know who she is in Christ and to play with freedom knowing that whether she is or isn't player of the year, she's the daughter of the King of kings.

Austin comes into 2020 followed a fabulous sophomore season, which was punctuated with a remarkable run at the National Christian College Athletic Association World Series. For the year, she went 14-6 with a 1.36 ERA and sparkling 1.02 WHIP. All three pitchers selected preseason all-conference are entering their junior seasons, led by CUI's NCAA Division II All-American Callie Nunes.

"I am happy to see Paige receive this honor. I am excited to see Paige step back on the field this year," said Udria. "There's something that tells me that Paige has a new passion and fire for the game this year that is going to improve her level of play and leadership tremendously. I can't wait to see her compete this weekend."

Biola Softball begins its season later this week at nearby Great Park in Irvine. The Eagles will play five games between Friday and Sunday as part of Concordia Irvine's Concordia Kick-Off Classic.