June 14, 2006

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern jumped to No. 2 in the final USA Today/NFCA and ESPN.com/USA Softball coaches polls of the year after its run to the championship at the Women's College World Series, achieving the Wildcats' highest-ever rankings in a national poll.

NU jumped nine places from No. 11 in the NFCA poll, where it was ranked in the final regular-season poll. Northwestern received 698 points, 13 more than No. 3 Tennessee and 24 more than No. 4 UCLA -- both teams which the Wildcats defeated during their 3-0 romp through WCWS bracket play. NU ended up 2-0 against the Bruins on the season after also earning a 3-2 win during the regular season.

National champion Arizona received all 30 first place votes.

In the USA Softball poll, Northwestern earned all 20 second-place votes, while Arizona had all 20 first place votes. UCLA finished in the three-spot with 450 points while Tennessee came in at No. 4 with 447 points. NU was No. 13 in the poll prior to the NCAA Tournament.

Northwestern opened the season at No. 16 in the NFCA preseason poll and No. 15 in the USA Softball rankings, and rose to No. 11 at its highest in each after winning the Big Ten title. Those rankings were its previous program-bests before the final polls.

To view the final NFCA coaches poll, visit NFCA.org. For the USA Softball poll, visit USAsoftball.com.