BURNSVILLE, Minn. – In the 2026 NSIC softball preseason coaches' poll, the Augustana Vikings were picked to repeat as conference champions while Desi Cuevas was named the preseason Player of the Year. 

AU earned 12 first-place votes to claim the top spot in the poll for the seventh consecutive season alongside 221 points. Winona State was picked second with 202 points with four first place votes and Minnesota State was third with 197 points.

Reigning NSIC Coach of the Year, Gretta Melsted said "Our team is a fun mix of talented and experienced players and young, talented inexperienced players.  It will be fun to watch this team grow with each game.  I love how hard they have worked both on the field and in the weight room this year.  We will look like a traditional Augustana Softball team with some surprise strengths."

Cuevas compiled a team-high batting average of .378 with an ops of 1.132. She recorded a team-high 73 hits and 47 RBI's. She hammered 13 home runs and had a slugging percentage of .694 percent. She is a 2025 Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete, named to the 2025 D2CCA All-Central Region First Team, garnered 2025 NFCA All-Central Region and finished as a 2025 All-NSIC First Team honoree.

Melsted said "Desi is an all-around softball player.  She has speed, is very strong defensively and can change the game with one swing of the bat.  She has elite hand-eye coordination.  Although quiet and reserved by nature, her presence and leadership is felt on and off the field by her teammates. Desi is an extremely humble player and person."    

Helene Krage was named as Augustana's Pitcher to Watch after she recorded a 2-0 record in 17 innings pitched. She compiled an ERA of 1.65 and recorded 12 strikeouts. "As part of the pitching staff that had the second lowest ERA in the country last year, Helene has been a vital part of our team's success.  Whether it has been on the mound or watching the game as a coach would, Helene has helped our team in all facets of the game.  As a senior it is now her to shine and I'm excited to see her attack her senior year.  A goofball by nature, Helene, is an extremely pleasant and enjoyable human to be around." Said Melsted. 

Augustana will open its season next Friday at the Lone Star Invitational in Grapevine, Texas. The Vikings are set to face Lubbock Christian and Eastern New Mexico on the season's opening day of Jan. 30, followed by Southern Arkansas and Maryville on Jan. 31. The invitational will conclude with games against Midwestern State and Cameron on Feb. 1.