VCSU Softball Secures Strong Prediction: Set to Shine in NSAA Coaches’ Preseason Poll

The Valley City State softball squad was chosen to place second in the North Star Athletic Association Coaches’ Preseason Poll, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday. VCSU amassed 28 points alongside two first-place votes in this survey.
 
The Vikings are set to commence their 2025 season on February 7, facing NCAA Div. II Northern State University at the University of Jamestown Dome. The conference opener for VCSU is planned for March 29-30 at Dakota State, with their home opener scheduled for April 5-6 against Bellevue University.
 
Bellevue has been named as the coaches’ preseason favorite to capture the NSAA regular-season championship. The Bruins secured the last three North Star regular-season titles.

Bellevue concluded their 2024 campaign with an overall record of 36-20 and an impressive 19-3 in the league. The Bruins lost in the championship match of the conference postseason tournament to Dickinson State. Nonetheless, BU secured a spot in the NAIA Softball National Tournament Opening Round, finishing with a 2-2 record.

The Bruins earned four first-place votes, totaling 33 points in the national ranking. Valley City State obtained the remaining two first-place votes to end up second with 28 points. Jamestown came in third with 25 points.

The Blue Hawks, who advanced to the NAIA Softball National Tournament Opening Round last year, were positioned fourth in the survey with 21 points. Mayville State claimed the fifth spot with 12 points, while Dakota State rounded out the rankings in sixth with six points.

Points were allocated on a 6-1 scale in the conference coaches’ preseason poll.

The North Star conference softball season will kick off during the weekend of March 29-30 (DiSU at BU, MSU at UJ, and VCSU at DaSU). All six teams are expected to engage in a total of 20 conference games throughout the spring.

The NSAA Softball conference tournament is scheduled to take place at Bravera Field in Dickinson, N.D. from May 1-5. An automatic bid to the NAIA Softball National Tournament Opening round on May 12-15 is at stake. The champion of the postseason conference tournament will secure an automatic bid to the national tournament.

The NAIA Softball World Series is slated for May 22-28 in Columbus, Ga. at South Commons Complex.

Presented below is the complete 2025 NSAA Softball Coaches’ Preseason Poll: