UCLA Softball: Bruins Preseason Rank Revealed
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association released their preseason top 25 on Tuesday. Your highly touted UCLA Bruins begin the 2024 season ranked No. 10.
There are four polls recognized by the NCAA and the Bruins are in the top 10 by all of them. They stand at No. 9 by Softball America, No. 8 by D1 Softball, and No. 10 by USA Softball.
There isn't a right or wrong poll to follow for softball. Each publication or broadcast will use its respective rankings for reference.
The Bruins were eliminated in the Los Angeles Regional last year which was earlier than expected. Head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez recently joined Fastpitch News' "In the Circle" podcast and discussed what happened at the end of the 2023 season.
"I take full accountability for the fact that we weren't performing at our best and that's just not who we are at the end of the day. I can take away and say this, everybody wants to win but being to able to really know how to win, win when it matters most is what separates the good from the great. I don't believe that we lacked it, we just didn't perform at our best when our best was needed."
UCLA is using the end of last season to fuel them in 2024. Inouye-Perez doesn't blame any of the girls for how it ended and the coaches are taking a different approach to this season.
"I'm excited about the returners and their focus and their leadership and their language getting clarity on expectations and standards but also making sure that we are going to enjoy the ride."
UCLA rounds out the Pac-12 with Stanford and Washington ranked above them. This spring is the last season for the conference and the Bruins will join the Big Ten for the 2025 season.