CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) - Florida State has been voted the preseason favorite to win the 2024 ACC softball title by the league’s 13 head coaches, the conference announced on Thursday.
The Seminoles were chosen to top the league for the third year in a row, following their 19th ACC Championship last season. They received 10 first-place votes for a total of 141 points.
Clemson and Duke earned one first-place vote each and tied for second in the coaches poll with 128 points. Virginia Tech received a first-place vote and was tabbed fourth with 109 points. Notre Dame rounded out the top five with 93 points.
Louisville was tabbed sixth with 87 points, North Carolina was picked seventh with 70 points and Georgia Tech earned 71 points in eighth. Virginia with 65 points and Syracuse with 37 points completed the top 10, while NC State (34), Boston College (27) and Pitt (26) closed out the poll.
Florida State leads the ACC with five representatives on the Preseason All-ACC team, followed by Duke with four, Clemson and Virginia Tech with two and one from Notre Dame.
All 14 members of the preseason squad were named to the 2023 All-ACC Softball team, including the 2023 Player of the Year Valerie Cagle of Clemson. Seven members were selected 2023 First-Team All-ACC, four were tabbed 2023 Second-Team All-ACC selections and two were named to the 2023 Third-Team All-ACC team. Cagle earned two spots on the 2024 Preseason Team at pitcher and designated/utility player.
The Preseason All-ACC Softball Team is voted on by the league's head coaches and consists of a minimum of 14 players. Each ballot was comprised of five infielders, four outfielders, three pitchers, a catcher and either a designated player or utility player.
Four ACC softball teams are ranked among the top 25 of the ESPN.com/USA Softball Preseason Poll, third-most among the conferences. Florida State leads the group at No. 4, followed by No. 7 Clemson, No. 9 Duke and No. 23 Virginia Tech.
Seven members of the preseason team were named to USA Softball’s Collegiate Player of the Year Watchlist, featuring the 2023 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Valerie Cagle. She was joined by Duke’s Cassidy Curd and D’Auna Jennings, Florida State’s Michaela Edenfield, North Carolina’s Autumn Owen and Virginia Tech’s Emma Lemley and Emma Ritter.
Duke will host the 2024 ACC Softball Championship from Wednesday, May 8, to Saturday, May 11, at Duke Softball Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.
The 2024 campaign begins Thursday, Feb. 8, with four of the league’s teams in action, while the remaining nine ACC teams open the season on Friday, Feb. 9.
2024 ACC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Florida State, 10 first-place votes, 141 points
T2. Clemson, 1 first-place vote, 128 points
T2. Duke, 1 first-place vote, 128 points
4. Virginia Tech, 1 first-place vote, 109 points
5. Notre Dame, 93 points
6. Louisville, 87 points
7. North Carolina, 70 points
8. Georgia Tech, 69 points
9. Virginia, 65 points
10. Syracuse, 37 points
11. NC State, 34 points
12. Boston College, 27 points
13. Pitt, 26 points
2024 Softball Preseason All-ACC Team
Infield
Ana Gold, Duke, Jr.
Aminah Vega, Duke, So.
Kalei Harding, Florida State, Sr.
Karina Gaskins, Notre Dame, Sr.
Cameron Fagan, Virginia Tech, Sr.
Outfield
D’Auna Jennings, Duke, So.
Jahni Kerr, Florida State, R-Jr.
Kaley Mudge, Florida State, Sr.
Emma Ritter, Virginia Tech, Sr.
Pitcher
Valerie Cagle, Clemson, R-Sr.
Cassidy Curd, Duke, So.
Makenna Reid, Florida State, So.
Catcher
Michaela Edenfield, Florida State, R-Jr.
Designated Player/Utility
Valerie Cagle, Clemson, R-Sr.