October 9, 2000

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech softball team finished the 1999-2000 academic year ranked ninth in the country in team grade point average as released Monday afternoon by the NFCA. The NFCA/Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex All-Academic team is based on a cumulative team grade point average submitted by NFCA member head coaches for the 1999-2000 academic year.

Virginia Tech finished with a 3.28 team GPA, tying it for ninth with Southeast Missouri State. Louisiana Tech finished first with a 3.571 team GPA.

When combining the team's ranking in the GPA list with the team's ranking in the final RPI list, the Hokies finished fourth in the nation, averaging a 26.5 ranking. Tech finished ninth in the GPA list and 44th in the RPI poll, tying the Hokies with Kentucky (13th GPA, 40th RPI).

"I'm very pleased with this award because it shows we are getting the job done both on the field and in the classroom," said Scot Thomas, Virginia Tech head softball coach.

The Hokies finished the 2000 season with a 41-22 record and finished second in the Atlantic 10.

Combined GPA and RPI Rankings
                      GPA  RPI   Avg.
1. Stanford            16   10   13
2. Notre Dame          22   13   17.5
3. Mississippi State   26   16   21
4. Virginia Tech        9   44   26.5
4. Kentucky            13   40   26.5