NiJaree Canady, Texas Tech Claim Top Spot in College Softball Rankings
Texas Tech climbed to the top of Filmogaz.com’s College Softball Super 16 this week. The Red Raiders arrive at No. 1 with a 38-2 record.
They bring a 13-game winning streak into the new week. All four victories last week ended by run-rule.
Texas Tech swept a midweek game against Abilene Christian and a weekend series at BYU. The combined score in those games was 42-7.
The rankings reflect shifting fortunes at the top of the sport. Tennessee and Texas both surrendered the No. 1 spot over recent weeks.
Tennessee had held No. 1 for five straight weeks before losing series to Florida and Ole Miss. Texas then moved up, but it has since lost three of four games.
Alabama handed Texas two of those losses during a statement SEC series. The Tide moved into the No. 2 position this week.
This week’s Super 16
| Rank | Team | Points (1st-place votes) | Record | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas Tech | 167 (6) | 38-2 | 2 |
| 2 | Alabama | 160 (4) | 35-3 | 5 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 157 (1) | 38-3 | 3 |
| 4 | Nebraska | 143 | 30-6 | 4 |
| 5 | Texas | 141 | 32-4 | 1 |
| 6 | Arkansas | 115 | 32-5 | 6 |
| 7 | Florida State | 102 | 35-4 | 8 |
| 8 | Florida | 99 | 36-5 | 7 |
| 9 | UCLA | 92 | 33-5 | 10 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 94 | 32-6 | 9 |
| 11 | Arizona | 62 | 29-8 | 11 |
| 12 | Virginia Tech | 50 | 33-5 | 13 |
| 13 | Texas A&M | 33 | 26-12 | 15 |
| 14 | Georgia | 32 | 28-10 | 12 |
| 15 | Duke | 30 | 28-11 | RV |
| 16 | Mississippi State | 17 | 33-9 | 16 |
Also receiving votes
- Oregon — 6 points, 29-9, RV
- Ole Miss — 3 points, 25-15, RV
- LSU — 1 point, 25-13, NR
- Washington — 1 point, 31-9, RV
Outlook and context
Texas Tech Claim Top Spot in College Softball Rankings as the national picture tightens. The team’s recent dominance raises expectations.
Questions remain about sustaining a long winning streak. Strength of schedule will be a key test over coming weeks.
Several programs sit close behind. Alabama and Oklahoma trail by narrow point margins.
Virginia Tech appears among the ranked teams at No. 12. Names such as NiJaree Canady figure into conversations about that roster.
Who voted
- Jenni Carlson, Filmogaz.com
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel
- Eric Lopez, In The Circle
- Justin McLeod, D1Softball.com
- Joe Mussatto, Filmogaz.com
- Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun
- Colton Sulley, Filmogaz.com
- Brady Vernon, Softball America
- Kirk Walker, Oklahoma City Spark general manager
- Scott Wright, Filmogaz.com
