ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The 2024 Missouri Valley Conference softball season is approaching rapidly with the bulk of teams starting play this weekend. The league announced their preseason poll and individual awards this afternoon.
 
The Bulldogs, under the direction of first-year head coach Lindsay Diehl, were slated eighth in the preseason poll. Perennial power UNI earned 10 first place votes as the preseason favorite. Both Southern Illinois and Missouri State also garnered a single first place vote apiece to take second and third. The entire preseason poll is listed below.
 
Individually, the Bulldogs did not receive a nod to the All-MVC team. The Bulldogs return the bulk of their production from last season including the top two offensive pieces in utility players Emma Dighton and Emily Valtman. Both players eclipsed the .300-average mark at the plate while Dighton also brings back the most pitching experience with 81 innings and 28 appearances in the circle.
 
Diehl, who comes to Drake after a stint at junior college power Indian Hills Community College, will lead the Bulldogs in their season debut this weekend at the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic in Cedar Falls. Drake will take on the likes of Omaha, Western Illinois, Butler, and Northern Illinois between Feb. 9-11.