SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Omaha Softball, three-time defending Summit League tournament champions and the 2025 conference regular-season champion, has been picked first in the 2026 Summit League Preseason Coaches Poll for the second straight season, it was revealed Wednesday. Omaha received five first-place votes.

The Mavericks return seven of nine starters from last season's double-championship team and Mike Heard's squad brings a breadth of experience beyond the lineup with the roster combining for 1,107 collegiate games started.

Junior pitcher and Omaha native Maddia Groff was named a Summit League Pitcher to Watch. The southpaw finished the campaign with a 1.59 ERA, 27-7 record and 251 strikeouts, good for top 10 in Division I in all three categories.

Bennington product and Wichita State transfer Taylor Sedlacek was named a Summit League Player to Watch. The newcomer, coming off a standout junior season at Wichita State, is expected to start at shortstop for the Mavericks. She set career highs in batting average (.329), runs (48), hits (50), doubles (17), home runs (15), walks (40), slugging percentage (.737) and on-base percentage (.469). Her 17 doubles set the Shockers' single-season record.

Opening the season in Cedar Falls, Iowa with the UNI-Dome Tournament on Feb. 6, Omaha will play a total of five games against NCAA tournament teams from last season with two against Arkansas and three against in-state foe Nebraska.

Four teams on Omaha's 2026 slate finished in the top 65 of the final RPI ranking from last season (Arkansas, Iowa State, Nebraska and Charlotte).

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