The University of Mississippi Athletics
Softball Becomes Unanimous Preseason Top-25 Selection, Ranked No. 14 in NFCA Poll
1/27/2026 | Softball
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss softball program has capped off the final preseason poll with its highest ranking thus far, as the Rebels were tabbed as the No. 14 team in the country by the NFCA on Tuesday.
Tuesday's ranking is the highest of the four preseason polls, with the Rebels also ranked No. 22 in ESPN/USA Softball, No. 24 in D1Softball and No. 25 in Softball America's preseason rankings. It also marks the first unanimous top-25 preseason nod for the program since 2018.
The mark is the program's highest preseason ranking since 2018, when the Rebels were tabbed as the No. 14 team in the nation by USA Today/NFCA.
Several key players from last season's run to the Women's College World Series return again in 2026 to pace the Rebels, including All-SEC sophomore Persy Llamas, NFCA All-South Region sophomore Mackenzie Pickens and seniors Taylor Malvin and Taylor Roman. As a whole, the Rebels feature 16 newcomers in the form of 10 transfers and six freshmen.
The Rebels open the regular season on Feb. 5 in a doubleheader at Cal State Fullerton to kick off the season-opening Easton Classic. The doubleheader is set to begin at 7 p.m. CT.
Get rewarded for attending events by joining Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, the official fan loyalty program of the Ole Miss Rebels. Download the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, sign up for a Rebel Rewards account, and start earning points immediately that can be redeemed for exclusive prizes and experiences.
For all Ole Miss softball news and information, go to OleMissSports.com and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissSoftball, on Facebook at Ole Miss Softball and on Instagram at @olemisssoftball. Also, follow head coach Jamie Trachsel on Twitter at @Jamie_Trachsel.
Tuesday's ranking is the highest of the four preseason polls, with the Rebels also ranked No. 22 in ESPN/USA Softball, No. 24 in D1Softball and No. 25 in Softball America's preseason rankings. It also marks the first unanimous top-25 preseason nod for the program since 2018.
The mark is the program's highest preseason ranking since 2018, when the Rebels were tabbed as the No. 14 team in the nation by USA Today/NFCA.
Several key players from last season's run to the Women's College World Series return again in 2026 to pace the Rebels, including All-SEC sophomore Persy Llamas, NFCA All-South Region sophomore Mackenzie Pickens and seniors Taylor Malvin and Taylor Roman. As a whole, the Rebels feature 16 newcomers in the form of 10 transfers and six freshmen.
The Rebels open the regular season on Feb. 5 in a doubleheader at Cal State Fullerton to kick off the season-opening Easton Classic. The doubleheader is set to begin at 7 p.m. CT.
Get rewarded for attending events by joining Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, the official fan loyalty program of the Ole Miss Rebels. Download the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, sign up for a Rebel Rewards account, and start earning points immediately that can be redeemed for exclusive prizes and experiences.
For all Ole Miss softball news and information, go to OleMissSports.com and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissSoftball, on Facebook at Ole Miss Softball and on Instagram at @olemisssoftball. Also, follow head coach Jamie Trachsel on Twitter at @Jamie_Trachsel.
Players Mentioned
LHP/UT
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
UT
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