HADDONFIELD, N.J. – Last year’s second seeded Marywood has been selected as the top seed, by the coaches, in the 2026 Atlantic East Softball Preseason Poll. The Pacers received a total of 33 points, accompanied by three first place votes.

Brianna Voyer, the 2025 Rookie of the Year, highlights a strong bunch of returners for Marywood. She started 32 of 34 games played, batting an impressive .386%. On the other end of the stretch, Voyer posted a 3.27 ERA, going 10-9 in 23 games while striking out 53 and walking 32 in 126.1 innings of work. Returning alongside Voyer is the 2025 Player of the Year Tori Para, who led the Pacers with a batting average of .480%. In her 38 games played, she had 61 hits, 34 runs, 23 doubles, and 42 RBI’s. Marywood will also see 2025 First Team All-Conference selections Riley Marshall and Marissa Hoffman.

The reigning champions, Marymount, landed second in the poll with 31 total points and two first place votes. After posting a 7-3 conference record, the Saints bowed out in the opening weekend of NCAA Championships. 2025 First Team All-Conference picks Haley Greer and Kaylee Atkins feature as ones to watch. Greer posted a .361% batting average, with 43 hits and 27 RBI’s in her 41 games played. Atkins, a utility player, posted a 5-8 pitching record, striking out 26 batters in her 81.1 innings pitched. Over the plate, Atkins batted .323%, with 42 hits and 31 RBI’s.

Neumann took the third spot, receiving 23 total points and one first place vote. The Knights went 4-8 in conference play, but made a deep run in the postseason, challenging Marymount in the conference final. Marina Costello, the 2025 Pitcher of the Year, returns as a graduate student to lead the Knights. Last season, Costello posted a staggering 2.58 ERA, striking out 70 batters in her 78.2 innings pitched. Offensively, she contributed 34 hits, driving in 22 runs and hitting one home run.

In fourth place, with 22 points, was Immaculata. The Mighty Macs were awarded Coaching Staff of the Year honors for the 2025 campaign after going 5-5 in conference play. Of the three 2025 First Team All-Conference selections, Rylee Martin is the lone returner. Martin started and played all 40 games last time out, recording 30 hits and 23 runs batted in, with her biggest impact being a fielding percentage of .995%, only posting one error all season.

Saint Elizabeth received the final first place vote and totaled 16 points, good for a fifth place landing in the poll. The Eagles were followed by Gwynedd Mercy in sixth, with 14 points, and Centenary in seventh after receiving eight points.

Marymount opens non-conference play on February 25, taking on Washington College. Saint Elizabeth will begin play on March 2, with Immaculata starting on March 3, Gwynedd Mercy on March 5, Centenary on March 7, Marywood on March 9, and Neumann on March 11.

Conference play begins on Saturday, March 21 with Marymount traveling to Gwynedd Mercy and Immaculata traveling to Neumann.  On Saturday, March 28, Centenary will host Gwynedd Mercy, with Marywood traveling to Immaculata, and Saint Elizabeth heading to Marymount.

The 2026 Atlantic East Tournament is set to begin with semifinal action Saturday, May 2, and the finals on Sunday, May 3.

Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Marywood - 33 (3)
2. Marymount - 31 (2) 
3. Neumann - 23 (1) 
4. Immaculata - 22 
5. Saint Elizabeth - 16 (1)
6. Gwynedd Mercy - 14
7. Centenary - 8

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