University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Ragin' Cajuns Land Fifth Straight Top 15 Finish
6/16/2016 10:41:00 AM | Softball
LAFAYETTE – Ragin' Cajuns Softball finished the season ranked inside the Top 15 of both the USA Today/NFCA and ESPN.com/USA Softball poll for the fifth consecutive season it was revealed earlier this week.
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In the final edition of the 2016 polls, the Ragin' Cajuns (46-9, 21-2 Sun Belt) were ranked No. 12 in the USA Today/NFCA listing and No. 14 by ESPN.com/USA Softball.
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The current stretch of five straight seasons finishing in the Top 15 is second-longest period in program history trailing only eight straight seasons from 1990-97.
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In 14 seasons with Michael Lotief as head coach, the Ragin' Cajuns have finished Top 15 nationally eight times: 2003, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
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USA Today/NFCA Top 25 Poll
ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 Poll
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Overall, the Ragin' Cajuns finished the year ranked in one of the national polls for the ninth straight season (2008-16) and 24th time in the past 27 seasons (1990-2016).
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Louisiana, preseason ranked No. 11 in both polls, was ranked as high as No. 4 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball listing (Mar. 29) and No. 5 in ESPN.com/USA Softball (Mar. 8-Apr. 19) during the 2016 season.
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The Ragin' Cajuns joined the Top 10 in both polls after a season-opening sweep of the Sand Dollar Classic and remained among the group through the end of the NCAA Tournament.
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The 2016 squad set record stays in the nation's Top 5. The Ragin' Cajuns run of six straight weeks in the Top 5 of the NFCA poll (Mar. 8-Apr. 19) bested the previous record of four straight weeks first established March 31-April 21 of 1999. The program reached the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll's Top 5 for the first time and spent seven consecutive weeks in the grouping (Mar. 1-Apri. 19) – the longest Top 5 run in either poll in program history.
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During the 2016 season, Louisiana claimed its third straight Sun Belt Conference championship and 14th in the 16 years of league competition since 2001. The squad appeared in the NCAA Tournament for the 18th straight year and 26th time overall in the past 27 years dating back to 1990. The Ragin' Cajuns hosted an NCAA Regional at Lamson Park for the fourth time in the past five years (2012, 2014-16) and advanced to an NCAA Super Regional for the fifth straight year (2012-16).
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For more information on Ragin' Cajuns softball, fans can follow along with the team on Facebook (/RaginCajunSoftball) and Twitter (@RaginCajunSB).
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RAGIN' CAJUNS IN THE 2016 POLLS
Week                      NFCA      ESPN/USA
Preseason                11                 11
Feb. 15-21Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8
Feb. 22-28Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6
Feb. 29-Mar. 6Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5
Mar. 7-13 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5
Mar. 14-20Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5
Mar. 21-27Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5
Mar. 28-Apr. 4 Â Â Â Â Â Â 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4
Apr. 5-Apr. 11Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5
Apr. 11-17Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5
Apr. 18-24Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8
Apr. 25-May 1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9
May 2-8Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10
May 9-15Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10
May 16-22Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9
FINALÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 14
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NINE STRAIGHT YEARS IN FINAL RANKINGS (2008-16)
Season               NFCA     ESPN/USA
2008Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6
2009Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 25Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â -
2010Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 16Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 17
2011Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 23Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 25
2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9
2013Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 15
2014Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8
2015Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 11Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 11
2016Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 14
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In the final edition of the 2016 polls, the Ragin' Cajuns (46-9, 21-2 Sun Belt) were ranked No. 12 in the USA Today/NFCA listing and No. 14 by ESPN.com/USA Softball.
Â
The current stretch of five straight seasons finishing in the Top 15 is second-longest period in program history trailing only eight straight seasons from 1990-97.
Â
In 14 seasons with Michael Lotief as head coach, the Ragin' Cajuns have finished Top 15 nationally eight times: 2003, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Â
USA Today/NFCA Top 25 Poll
ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 Poll
Â
Overall, the Ragin' Cajuns finished the year ranked in one of the national polls for the ninth straight season (2008-16) and 24th time in the past 27 seasons (1990-2016).
Â
Louisiana, preseason ranked No. 11 in both polls, was ranked as high as No. 4 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball listing (Mar. 29) and No. 5 in ESPN.com/USA Softball (Mar. 8-Apr. 19) during the 2016 season.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns joined the Top 10 in both polls after a season-opening sweep of the Sand Dollar Classic and remained among the group through the end of the NCAA Tournament.
Â
The 2016 squad set record stays in the nation's Top 5. The Ragin' Cajuns run of six straight weeks in the Top 5 of the NFCA poll (Mar. 8-Apr. 19) bested the previous record of four straight weeks first established March 31-April 21 of 1999. The program reached the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll's Top 5 for the first time and spent seven consecutive weeks in the grouping (Mar. 1-Apri. 19) – the longest Top 5 run in either poll in program history.
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During the 2016 season, Louisiana claimed its third straight Sun Belt Conference championship and 14th in the 16 years of league competition since 2001. The squad appeared in the NCAA Tournament for the 18th straight year and 26th time overall in the past 27 years dating back to 1990. The Ragin' Cajuns hosted an NCAA Regional at Lamson Park for the fourth time in the past five years (2012, 2014-16) and advanced to an NCAA Super Regional for the fifth straight year (2012-16).
Â
For more information on Ragin' Cajuns softball, fans can follow along with the team on Facebook (/RaginCajunSoftball) and Twitter (@RaginCajunSB).
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RAGIN' CAJUNS IN THE 2016 POLLS
Week                      NFCA      ESPN/USA
Preseason                11                 11
Feb. 15-21Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8
Feb. 22-28Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6
Feb. 29-Mar. 6Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5
Mar. 7-13 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5
Mar. 14-20Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5
Mar. 21-27Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5
Mar. 28-Apr. 4 Â Â Â Â Â Â 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4
Apr. 5-Apr. 11Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5
Apr. 11-17Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5
Apr. 18-24Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8
Apr. 25-May 1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9
May 2-8Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10
May 9-15Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10
May 16-22Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9
FINALÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 14
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NINE STRAIGHT YEARS IN FINAL RANKINGS (2008-16)
Season               NFCA     ESPN/USA
2008Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6
2009Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 25Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â -
2010Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 16Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 17
2011Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 23Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 25
2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9
2013Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 15
2014Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8
2015Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 11Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 11
2016Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 14
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