May 29, 2002
ATLANTA – The ACC champion Georgia Tech softball team makes its first-ever appearance in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25, as the Jackets (52-18) are ranked 18th in the final poll, which was released Wednesday.
Tech posted school records for overall and conference wins en route to its first-ever ACC title and NCAA Regional appearance. The Jackets concluded their record-setting season in the finals of the Tallahassee regional, falling to Florida State. The Seminoles are ranked fourth in the final poll and are the only other conference school ranked.
The Jackets’ 52 wins established a school record, eclipsing the former mark of 38 wins set in 1991. Tech proved to be one of the most improved teams in the nation, as it won 28 more games this season than in 2001. Head coach Kate Madden earned ACC Coach of the Year honors for guiding the remarkable turnaround.
Tech is in strong position to continue its surge among the nation’s elite, as 13 of 15 players are slated to return, including third-team All-American shortstop Tara Knudsen, ACC Rookie of the Year Jessica Sallinger and All-ACC catcher Lindsay Wood. Knudsen and Sallinger also earned first-team all-region accolades.
-GT-
