ORLANDO, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team was picked 10th in the Sunshine State Conference preseason coaches' poll for the 2026 season.
 
The poll, voted on by all 11 SSC head coaches, projects the Sailfish to finish just ahead of Florida Southern and behind Lynn in the conference standings with 22 total points.
 
Tampa University and Saint Leo University tied for the top spot in the preseason voting with 90 points apiece, with Tampa entering the year as the favorite for a fifth straight SSC title and Saint Leo seeking its first conference crown since 2017. Nova Southeastern and Barry were also near the top of the poll, while Eckerd, Rollins, Florida Tech, Embry-Riddle and Lynn filled out the middle positions.
 
PBA enters the 2026 season under first-year head coach Kasey Cox, who was hired in June 2025 after a successful stint as an assistant coach at Indian River State College, where her teams compiled a national championship and impressive winning record. Cox takes over a Sailfish squad that went 11-27 overall and 5-25 in conference play in 2025 and is aiming to reverse that trend.
 
The Sailfish return several key players from last season's roster, including seniors and experienced contributors such as Larken Maseda, Ashlyn Storms, Rhiannon Sibbett, Marli Szierer, Rylee Little, and Lauren O'Brien.
 
PBA's 2026 schedule begins with nonconference matchups before the team opens Sunshine State Conference play in mid-March. Early games, including a home doubleheader against Keiser and a trip to Chattanooga, Tenn. offer chances for the Sailfish to build confidence.
 
The Sailfish host the Seahawks for opening day on Jan. 31. Game one against Keiser starts at 12:00 p.m. at Simpson Field.