OLLU Softball Ranked Third In RRAC Preseason Poll

Despite being slotted third in the 2026 RRAC Softball Preseason Poll, Our Lady of the Lake enters the new season positioned as one of the conference’s most formidable programs following a dominant 2025 campaign. The Saints earned a first-place vote and finished just one point shy of second in the poll, underscoring the respect they command across the league.

OLLU was one of four RRAC teams to qualify for the 2025 NAIA National Championship Tournament and proved its championship pedigree throughout the year. The Saints posted an outstanding 27-1 conference record, with their only regular-season loss coming to LSU Alexandria in April. When it mattered most, OLLU responded emphatically, defeating LSUA twice in the postseason, including a 5-2 win and a 3-0 shutout in the championship game. OLLU finished the conference tournament a perfect 4-0 to claim the RRAC title.

The Saints postseason success highlighted their consistency and resilience against top-tier competition. OLLU also notched key victories over Texas A&M-Texarkana during the season, continuing a trend of strong performances against fellow national qualifiers. At the NAIA National Championship Tournament, OLLU went 2-2, further demonstrating its ability to compete on the national stage.

As the program turns the page, OLLU enters a new era with assistant coach Joey Armijo taking over as head coach in August 2025. Armijo brings continuity and stability after working alongside longtime head coach Bruce Lenington for six seasons, during which the Saints compiled a 238-64 record and established themselves as a perennial RRAC contender.

With a proven roster, championship experience, and a seamless coaching transition, Our Lady of the Lake heads into 2026 poised to challenge for another conference title. While preseason rankings offer a snapshot of expectations, the Saints recent history suggests they are well-positioned to exceed them and remain a central force in the RRAC race.

Preseason poll voting was submitted by each head coach. The results, shown below, are based on points calculated with an 11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 format. First-place votes are indicated in parentheses.

RankSchoolPoints
1.LSU Alexandria (9)99
2.Texas A&M-Texarkana85
3.Our Lady of the Lake (1)84
4.Texas A&M-Victoria69
5.Texas A&M-San Antonio58
6.Louisiana Christian47
7.Xavier38
8.Southwest32
9.Jarvis Christian25
10.Texas College18

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