NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State softball team earned seven MEAC Preseason Honors, as the conference released its preseason All-MEAC teams on Thursday afternoon.
 
Five Spartans were named to the Preseason All-MEAC First Team, while NSU received two nods on the Preseason All-MEAC Second Team as well.
 
Six players made up the Spartans' seven selections, as Kenna Higa earned first team accolades at third base and second team honors at utility. Alexis Robinson (pitcher), Gabby Vaughan (first base), and outfielders Imani Moore and Alison Guckin were also named to the Preseason All-MEAC First Team, with Yrral Davis (outfielder) receiving the second team acknowledgement.
 
NSU's seven Preseason All-MEAC selections were the most of any team in conference, with Howard following closely behind at six.
 
Norfolk State was predicted to finish third in the conference with 100 points, receiving one first place vote. Howard (118 points, 10 first-place votes) and Morgan State (108, three) were the only teams selected ahead of the Spartans. North Carolina Central (72, 1), Maryland Eastern Shore (67, 1), Coppin State (57), Delaware State (32), and South Carolina State (22) rounded out the poll.
 
The poll was voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
 
Gabby Vaughan received the preseason acknowledgement coming off a stellar senior season, earning All-MEAC First Team honors for the second year in a row. She finished the year with a .296 batting average and .526 slugging percentage, tallying 36 RBIs and six home runs.
 
Kenna Higa took the conference by storm as a freshman last year, landing on the All-MEAC First Team while being name Co-Rookie of the Year. She posted a .328 batting average with a .619 slugging percentage, adding 44 RBIs and nine homers.

Alexis Robinson led the pitching staff in 2022 with a 2.25 ERA and a 17-5 record on the way to Second Team All-MEAC accolades. She frustrated opposing hitters with 79 strikeouts, walking just 17 batters the entire season.
 
Imani Moore dominated both offensively and defensively last year, before an injury sidelined her for the final stretch of the season. She finished second in the MEAC with a .393 batting average to earn first team All-MEAC honors, with an on base percentage of .448.
 
Alison Guckin went wherever she pleased on the basepaths last year, setting Norfolk State's Division I single-season record with 38 stolen bases. She earned Second Team All-MEAC honors with a .368 on base percentage, recording 50 putouts and five assists from the outfield.
 
Yrral Davis earned a spot on the All-MEAC Third Team last year as a redshirt sophomore, posting a .328 batting average and .407 on base percentage. She racked up 36 hits for 52 total bases, stealing 11 bases on 12 attempts.
 
Norfolk State opens the 2022-23 campaign on Feb. 11 at the North Carolina A&T Tournament in Greensboro, N.C.
 
2023 MEAC Softball Preseason All-Conference Teams
(as voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors)

Preseason Player of the Year: Kalita Dennis, Howard
Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Anaya Hunte, Morgan State

FIRST TEAM
SECOND TEAM