INDIANAPOLIS -- The reigning Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament champion Lewis softball team was selected to finish in second place for the 2024 season the league announced Tuesday (Jan. 30). The Flyers are coming off a 38-20 season and made it to the NCAA Midwest Regionals.
The preseason poll is selected by the league's head coaches who, per GLVC bylaws, cannot vote for their own team. Maryville was selected to win the conference, receiving 49 vote points and seven first place votes, while UIndy received the lone other first place selection.
The Flyers return All-GLVC First Team and NFCA First Team All-Midwest OF/P
Delaney Garden (Carpentersville, IL/Harry D. Jacobs High School), who went 17-8 in the circle with a 1.77 ERA. Garden also led the team with a .363 batting average and 74 hits.
Lewis also returns captain
Meghan Bontrager (Milford, IN/Northridge), who was the Lewis Female Recipient of the Brother David Delahanty Award.
Allie Wondrasek (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way West High School) looks to make an impact in her sophomore season after posting a 1.51 ERA and 0.94 WHIP which were both team lows.
The Flyers begin its quest for their second straight GLVC Tournament Crown Friday, February 2 as the Flyers travel to the Mankato Dome for the 2024 MSU Softball Tournament. Lewis begins conference play Saturday, March 16 as the Flyers travel to Drury.
2024 GLVC SOFTBALL PRESEASON POLL
| Place |
School |
Points (1st-Place Votes) |
| 1. |
Indianapolis |
169 (13) |
| 2. |
Lewis |
146 |
| 3. |
McKendree |
137 (1) |
| 4. |
Maryville |
127 |
| 5. |
Missouri-St. Louis |
124 |
| 6. |
Illinois Springfield |
123 |
| 7. |
Drury |
98 |
| 8. |
Rockhurst |
82 |
| 9. |
Quincy |
68 |
| 10. |
Missouri S&T |
65 |
| 11. |
Truman State |
52 |
| 12. |
Upper Iowa |
38 |
| 13. |
Southwest Baptist |
29 |
| 14. |
William Jewell |
16 |
