FARMINGTON, Utah – Portland State softball has been picked fourth in the Big Sky Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference announced on Wednesday.
 
The Vikings, who finished third in the Big Sky tournament for the second consecutive season last year, received 14 points in the poll. Last year's regular-season Big Sky champion Idaho State was first in the poll with 23 points and three first-place votes. Defending Big Sky tournament champion Northern Colorado fell just one point behind the Bengals, placing second in the poll with 22 points and two first-place votes. Sacramento State rounded out the top three with 17 points and one first-place vote. Weber State (9 points) and Montana (5 points) were picked fifth and sixth.

Meadow McWhorter enters her eighth season as Portland State's head coach. She'll guide a veteran roster with nine seniors and 15 returning players from last year's 18-win squad. Returners include Emily Johansen, the 2023 Big Sky Player of the Year, and Maddie Thompson, a 2023 First Team All-Big Sky selection.

The Vikings will open their 2024 campaign at the UC Riverside Invite (Feb. 9-11), which will be the first of three tournaments on their non-conference schedule. They'll open the season on Friday, Feb. 9 against No. 11 Oklahoma State (9 a.m.) and Utah State (11:30 a.m.).

2024 Big Sky Softball Coaches' Poll Results
1: Idaho State (3) – 23
2: Northern Colorado (2) – 22
3: Sacramento State (1) – 17
4: Portland State – 14
5: Weber State – 9
6: Montana – 5 
*Parentheses denotes first-place vote