Nationally ranked Montverde Academy preseason No. 1
GAINESVILLE — Montverde Academy is back on top of the all-classification regional softball rankings.
The Eagles, who finished 27-3 last year and were nationally ranked until a 3-0 upset loss at home to Trinity Catholic (Ocala) on May 15 in the FHSAA Class 2A-Region 2 Final, only received four of the nine first-place votes.
However, they finished ahead of Class 3A state runner up Eustis in total voting points, 174-170, to earn top billing in The Prep Zone Power Poll, which ranks the top 20 high school softball teams across 26 counties in Florida.
Montverde Academy, which is led by Ole Miss commit Nevaeh Williams and Central Florida commit Addison Poe, among others, is ranked 7th nationally in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.
Second-ranked Eustis (23-5), which received two first-place votes, will be led once again by Boston College commit Emmy Luke, who batted .488 with 12 homeruns.
The Panthers and Eagles will get to settle the debate for the No. 1 ranking with a home-and-home series on March 5 (at Eustis) and March 27 (at Montverde Academy.
Trenton, which was the only area state champion last year, received the other three first-place votes.
The Tigers (19-6) won their second straight state last May return the battery of pitcher Addison Allaire, a University of Florida commit, and catcher Mackenzie Fisher, a St. Leo University commit.
Class 2A state semifinalist Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (22-9) and Class 3A region finalist Crystal River (24-6) round out the top five.
Class 5A regional finalist Matanzas (Palm Coast) (23-2) leads off the second five at No. 6, followed by 4A regional semifinalist Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (20-5), 2A regional finalist Baldwin (21-7), 5A regional semifinalist Middleburg (19-9), and 3A regional quarterfinalist Santa Fe (Alachua) (19-4) in the top 10.
The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, basketball, baseball & softball teams (regardless of FHSAA classification) across 26 counties in North Florida (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union & Volusia counties). It is voted on by sportswriters and sportscasters, and it is powered by Be Well Fitness.
THE PREP ZONE POWER POLL – 2026 SOFTBALL POLL #1 (PRESEASON)
(School, followed by classification, first-place votes, final 2025 record, and total voting points)
1. Montverde Academy (2A) (4) (27-3) – 174
2. Eustis (3A) (2) (23-5) – 170
3. Trenton (Rural) (3) (19-6) – 165
4. Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (2A) (22-9) – 141
5. Crystal River (3A) (24-6) – 136
6. Matanzas (Palm Coast) (5A) (23-2) – 131
7. Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (4A) (20-5) – 121
8. Baldwin (2A) (21-7) – 112
9. Middleburg (5A) (19-9) – 91
10. Santa Fe (Alachua) (3A) (19-4) – 88
11. East Ridge (Clermont) (7A) (22-6) – 82
12. Branford (Rural) (21-7) – 80
13. Gainesville (5A) (17-8) – 58
14. Paxon (Jacksonville) (3A) (19-6) – 57
15. Episcopal (Jacksonville) (2A) (22-6) –55
16. Madison County (Rural) (19-2) – 48
17. Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville) (7A) (22-6) – 47
18. Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (7A) (18-6) – 26
19. Fort White (Rural) (17-7) – 25
20. Creekside (St. Johns) (7A) (18-10) – 20
Also receiving votes: University Christian (Jacksonville) (1A) (19-5) – 15; Williston (Rural) (14-11) – 14; Oakleaf (Orange Park) (6A) (12-13) – 12; West Nassau (Callahan) (3A) (12-12) – 8; Newberry (2A) (20-6) – 6; Deltona (5A) (14-5) – 5; Columbia (Lake City) (4A) (15-12) – 2; The Villages Charter (3A) (14-11) – 1.
