GREENVILLE, S.C. – The University of Mount Olive softball team was selected to finish sixth in the Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll, as announced by the league office Friday afternoon.

The Trojans earned 157 points to place sixth overall. Francis Marion was tabbed the unanimous preseason favorite, collecting 225 points and all 15 first-place votes. UNC Pembroke followed in second with 184 points and one first-place vote, while King (178), North Greenville (174), and Southern Wesleyan (171) rounded out the top five.

Mount Olive enters the 2026 season with several key players to watch, including Sam Taylor, Alex Steen, and Emma King.

Taylor earned Conference Carolinas All-Conference Second Team honors in her first season with the Trojans in 2025 after transferring from Pitt Community College. Steen, a transfer from Louisburg College, brings an impressive résumé after being named Region 10 Division II Softball Player and Pitcher of the Year. Her accolades also include Region 10 First Team All-Region Pitcher, Region 10 All-Tournament Team honors, NFCA NJCAA Division II Third Team All-American recognition, NJCAA Division II All-Region First Team Pitcher honors, and NJCAA First Team At-Large Pitcher distinction. King returns as a key contributor for the Trojans heading into the upcoming campaign.

The Trojans open the 2026 season at the Embry-Riddle Tournament in Daytona Beach, Fla., from Jan. 30–Feb. 1.