North Dakota State was selected as The Summit League preseason softball favorites in a poll of the league’s seven head coaches.
The Bison won their third consecutive league tournament title in 2016.
NDSU collected six first-place votes for a total of 36 points. Omaha was selected second with 27 points while Western Illinois placed third with 25 points. South Dakota had 23 points for fourth place, followed by South Dakota State (19 points), IUPUI (11 points) and Fort Wayne (5 points).
| 2017 Summit League Preseason Softball Coaches’ Poll | |||
| Rank | School | Points (1st) | 2016 Record (SL) |
| 1. | North Dakota State | 36 (6) | 39-15 (17-0) |
| 2. | Omaha | 27 (1) | 30-29 (12-5) |
| 3. | Western Illinois | 25 | 16-32 (9-8) |
| 4. | South Dakota | 23 | 15-38 (8-9) |
| 5. | South Dakota State | 19 | 23-34 (8-10) |
| 6. | IUPUI | 11 | 20-35 (4-12) |
| 7. | Fort Wayne | 6 | 11-40 (2-16) |