RENO, Nev. – The University of Nevada softball team was picked fifth in the Western Athletic Conference preseason poll, which was announced Tuesday by the conference.

Additionally, junior third baseman Erin Jones was named to the 2012 Preseason All-WAC team after earning second-team honors following the 2011 season.

Fresno State took the top spot in the preseason poll with 44 points and three first-place votes. Hawai‘i came in second, picking up two first-place votes and 42 points, followed by New Mexico State in third place with 37 points and two first-place votes. Brigham Young received the other first-place vote and came in fourth place with 35 points. Nevada was picked to finish fifth with 20 points, followed by San Jose State and Louisiana Tech tied for sixth with 17 points apiece. Utah State rounded out the poll in eighth place with 12 points.

“The fact that four teams got a first-place vote shows how good this conference is,” Nevada coach Matt Meuchel said. “By the time we get to conference play in March, I believe it will be a battle, week-in and week-out. Any of the teams who make the WAC Tournament in May could win the championship.”

Jones was the only Nevada player represented on the preseason team. She led Nevada with a .362 average while collecting five doubles and five home runs. She drove in 21 and scored 34 runs. Jones missed 16 games due to injury last season.

“That is a nice honor for Erin and we’re excited to see what she can do in a full season,” Meuchel said.

Nevada opens the 2012 campaign a week from Friday when it travels to Davis, Calif. to take part in the Aggie Stampede hosted by UC Davis.

2012 WAC Preseason Poll
Rank Team (first-place votes) Points
1. Fresno State (3) 44
2. Hawai‘i (2) 42
3. New Mexico State (2) 37
4. Brigham Young (1) 35
5. Nevada 20
T-6. Louisiana Tech 17
T-6. San Jose State 17
8. Utah State 12

2012 Preseason All-WAC Team
Player School Yr. Pos.
Teresa Conrad New Mexico State Jr. SS/1B
Carly Duckworth Brigham Young So. OF
Jessica Dugas Brigham Young Sr. OF
Jessica Iwata Hawai`i Jr. SS
Tiare Jennings New Mexico State Sr. OF
Michelle Moses Fresno State Sr. P/1B
Andrea Ortega Fresno State Sr. OF
Stephanie Ricketts Hawai`i Sr. P
Valerie Swedberg New Mexico State So. OF
Alex Aguirre Hawai`i Sr. OF
Janna Frandrup Louisiana Tech Jr. P/2B
Erin Jones Nevada Jr. 3B
Allison Lenzora Utah State So. IF
Kelly Majam Hawai`i Jr. OF
Brooke Ortiz Fresno State So. 2B/3B
Kassy Uchida Utah State So. UT