ROCK HILL, S.C. – UVA Wise softball placed two players on preseason All-South Atlantic Conference teams as the Cavaliers were tabbed to finish 12th in this year's coaches poll, the league announced Tuesday. Senior Kaylee Jones was selected preseason All-SAC first team at third base while sophomore pitcher McKenna Falwell earned All-SAC second team honors.

A product of Coeburn, Virginia, Jones made history in a COVID-19 shortened season, becoming the first player in program history to be named the Virginia Sports Information Directors College Division Player of the Year for her performance during the 2020 campaign. Through 24 games, she registered a .446 batting average and tallied 23 RBI and nine home runs. Jones recorded eight multi-hit contests and had three perfect games at the plate last season as she garnered VaSID All-State First Team accolades.

Named the 2019-20 UVA Wise Female Athlete of the Year, Jones set single-season records for the program in batting average, slugging percentage (1.046), and on base percentage (.571). The infielder's slugging and on base percentage led the SAC last season while her slugging percentage also ranked second nationally.

Falwell, a native of Blackstone, Virginia, concluded her freshman campaign with an impressive 1.65 ERA to finish the season ranked second in the SAC in the category and 73rd nationally. The right hander notched 89 strikeouts across 72 innings and picked up five wins in the circle. At the plate Falwell hit .250 and posted four hits and two runs.

UVA Wise ended the 2020 campaign with a 10-14 record, gaining its first SAC victory over Tusculum before the season was halted.

Lenoir-Rhyne was selected as the preseason favorite with seven first place votes. Lincoln Memorial followed with three first place votes at second place while Carson-Newman picked up a single first place vote at third place. Anderson came in at fourth with two first place votes with Wingate, Newberry, and Coker taking the fifth, sixth, and seventh slots. Queens (NC) fell in at eighth place followed by Limestone at ninth, Tusculum at 10th and Catawba at 11th. UVA Wise was tabbed at 12th in the preseason rankings as Mars Hill rounded out the poll in the 13th spot.

The Cavs are slated to open the season Saturday, February 6 in a doubleheader at Virginia State University.

For schedule updates and more information on UVA Wise softball, visit www.uvawisecavs.com.

 2021 South Atlantic Conference Softball Preseason Poll

All-SAC First Team

OF – Savannah Moorefield, Lenoir-Rhyne
OF – McKenzie Barneycastle, Newberry
OF – Chloe Pelham, Coker
1B – Haley Simonds, Newberry
2B – Ty-Kella Goins, Lincoln Memorial
SS – Talon LaClair, Lenoir-Rhyne
3B – Hannah Towery, Newberry
3B - Kaylee Jones, UVA Wise
DP – Kayson Boatner, Anderson 
UTL – Aubrey Reep, Wingate
C – Kylee Leonhardt, Lenoir-Rhyne
P – Morgan Beeler, Lenoir-Rhyne
P – Isabelle Mullen, Coker

All-SAC Second Team

OF – Haley Caldwell, Carson-Newman
OF – Anna Alloway, Tusculum
OF – Sam Hogan, Wingate
1B – Alexis Grampp, Tusculum
2B – Brittney Franse, Tusculum
SS – Sierra Hucklebee, Lincoln Memorial
3B –  Emma Webb, Lincoln Memorial
DP – McKenzie McCullen, Queens
UTL – Lacie Rinus, Carson-Newman
C – KaraLynne Levi, Carson-Newman
P – Lauren Rakes, Lenoir-Rhyne
P – McKenna Falwell, UVA Wise