March 28, 2001
The University of Notre Dame softball team (18-3) has moved up to 11th in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25, released on Wednesday. The Irish moved up from 12th, a ranking earned by posting a 7-2 record on their traditional Spring Break trip to Southern California (March 11-18).
Notre Dame finished third in the prestigious Kia Klassic tournament and knocked off #7 Fresno State and #10 Arizona State during the competition.
Notre Dame entered the season ranked 19th in the preseason poll and moved to 14th in the Feb. 21st poll. The Irish then dropped a spot to 15th in the Feb. 28th poll, but moved back up to 14th for two weeks (March 7 and 14).
The Irish will face Valparaiso (2-14) in the 2001 home opener tonight at 4 p.m.
Notre Dame in the USA Today/NFCA
Top 25 this season:
Preseason: 19 (0-0)
Irish defeat #4 Washington and #18 South Carolina while capturing the Holiday Inn Invitational in Tampa, Fla.
Feb. 21: 14 (5-0)
Irish give up two runs on a double in the sixth inning to drop first game of the season at Arkansas.
Feb. 28: 15 (8-1)
Irish lose three games off the schedule due to inclement weather but claim third tournament title of the season at the Morning News Invitational in Chattanooga, Tenn.
March 7: 14 (11-1)
Irish sweep a doubleheader at #24 Cal State Northridge.
March 14: 14 (13-1)
Irish finish third in the Kia Klassic, knocking off #7 Fresno State and #10 Arizona State while posting a 5-2 record during the week.
March 21: 12 (18-3)
Irish earn highest-ever ranking and face a week off before their home opener vs. Western Michigan (March 27).
March 28: 11 (18-3)
The USA Today/NFCA Top 25 (March 28):
1. UCLA, 35-0
2. Arizona, 36-2
3. California, 39-1
4. Alabama, 28-1
5. Stanford, 30-2-1
6. Oklahoma, 28-5
7. LSU, 25-6
8. Cal State Fullerton, 29-8
9. Arizona State, 25-8
10. DePaul, 17-7-1
11. NOTRE DAME, 18-3
12. Iowa, 18-6
13. Fresno State, 23-10
14. Oregon State, 27-10-1
15. Washington, 22-11
16. Florida State, 31-5
17. Nebraska, 24-9
18. Pacific, 26-5
19. South Carolina, 21-12-1
20. Texas A&M, 23-8
21. Baylor, 27-10
22. SW Texas State, 24-7
23. Wisconsin, 17-11
24. Louisiana-Lafayette, 21-5
25. Florida Atlantic, 31-11
Others: Cal State Northridge, Michigan, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Oregon, Florida, North Carolina, Texas Tech, Utah, Florida International,Hawaii, South Florida, Virginia
Bold indicates Notre Dame 2001 opponents
Bold-italics indicates Notre Dame 2001 opponents that the Irish have already posted victories against.