Defending national champion Messiah received all eight first-place votes, taking the No. 1 spot in the preseason NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll, the association announced Wednesday.

Messiah will again be led by sophomore Jessica Rhoads, who dominated the national championship tournament both from the rubber and at the plate, culminating in the school’s first national championship and a 43-4 overall record. East Texas Baptist and Ohio Northern begin 2010 sharing the No. 2 spot. ETBU went 39-9 a year ago, while Ohio Northern returns all but one starter to a team that made its first appearance at the national championship. Fellow championship participant Cortland State starts at No. 4, and national championship runner-up Coe, which finished 41-13 a season ago, rounds out the top five.

With a 2009 third place finish nationally, Gustavus Adolphus starts at No. 6, while No. 7 Washington-St. Louis returns all but two starters to a squad that finished 27-13. National championship participant Salisbury begins at No. 8, while 2008 championship runner-up Wisconsin-Whitewater takes the nine spot. Another national championship rookie a year ago, Texas-Tyler rounds out the top 10.

Nos. 11, 12, and 13, respectively, Coast Guard Academy, Illinois Wesleyan and Bridgewater were all a step away from making a trip to the national tournament last season, while No. 14 DePauw returns both pitchers to a team that finished 32-9 a year ago. Another regional finalist, William Paterson starts at No. 15.

No. 16 Luther finished 35-10 a year ago, while recent West power Linfield is No. 17. No. 18 Rhode Island College returns its entire pitching staff to a squad that finished 42-7 a year ago, while 33-11 Emerson starts at No. 19. Tufts rounds out the top 20 after going 44-3 and finishing fourth at the national championship.

Wisconsin-Eau Claire begins at No. 21, while Rowan and Hardin Simmons take the Nos. 22 and 23 spots, respectively. Central and Christopher Newport round out the preseason top 25.

The first regular season NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll will be released March 3.

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