FOREST, Va. --- Three schools picked up first place consideration in the annual ODAC Softball Preseason Poll, but a familiar name sits at the top with four-time reigning ODAC champion Virginia Wesleyan University leading the coach's survey. The Marlins collected nine top nods on the way to 99 points. Emory & Henry College and the University of Lynchburg each picked up one first place vote with just one point separating the pair. The Wasps earned 85 markers, while the Hornets cap the the top-three with 84 tallies. Randolph-Macon College, last season's ODAC runner-up and national championship qualifier, sits fourth with 77 points.

The ODAC maintained its notion as arguably the best NCAA Division III softball conference in the country with a league record four teams qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. The postseason started, however, with a great conference tournament in Salem. Virginia Wesleyan hoisted its fourth straight ODAC trophy, but did so the hard way after losing a second round game to Randolph-Macon, 3-2. The Yellow Jackets, meanwhile, took the shortest route to the title scenario in the league's double-elimination format with wins over Bridgewater College (2-1), VWU, and Lynchburg (3-1).

Virginia Wesleyan, following its loss to R-MC, took down Ferrum (9-4), Emory & Henry (4-1), and Lynchburg (7-3) to give itself two shots at the hardware. The Marlins topped R-MC, 4-0, in the first championship to setup a winner-take-all 15th game of the weekend. A six-run second inning powered the Marlins to an 8-2 win and its ODAC-best 12th overall crown.

RELATED: ODAC Tournament Bracket

The season continued for four ODAC schools for the first time in conference history with Emory & Henry, Lynchburg, and Randolph-Macon joining VWU as at-large selections to the national field of 62 teams. Emory & Henry's stay in the bracket lasted two contests with the Wasps falling to Emory University, 7-3, before taking Transylvania University to 12 innings before a 5-4 setback.

Lynchburg and Virginia Wesleyan were paired up in the same regional pod hosted by VWU. The Marlins put themselves in the driver's seat with wins over the University of Scranton (7-2) and Lynchburg (1-0). The Hornets, who beat Mantattanville (6-5) on day one, defeated the Valiants a second time (4-1) to setup a rematch with VWU. Lynchburg won twice, 7-4 and 4-2, to claim the regional.

Weather played a major factor in Randolph-Macon's regional event in New Jersey. R-MC defeated Arcadia (1-0) and Mt. Aloysius (4-0) before weather cancelled the remainder of the scheduled games. By going undefeated, the Yellow Jackets were declared the winners and advanced to the super regionals.

Lynchburg started out well in its super regional against Emory University, topping the Eagles, 7-0, in the first game. But EU stormed back in the final two outings of the best-of-three series with 9-5 and 10-8 wins to eliminate Lynchburg. Randolph-Macon did just the opposite at Christopher Newport. The Captains won the first game, 8-3, but the Yellow Jackets recovered for a pair of 4-3 victories -- the first in eight innings -- to advance to the national championship series in Tyler, Texas.

Randolph-Macon opened with familiar ODAC postseason foe Emory, with the Eagles claiming a 7-5 win. The Yellow Jackets national run closed in their second game via a 5-3 loss to Illinois Wesleyan University.

RELATED: NCAA Championship Series Bracket | NCAA Full Tournament Bracket

Entering the 2020 season, three ODAC teams find themselves ranked in the annual top-25 poll conducted by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). Virginia Wesleyan, which has spent the majority of the last three seasons ranked #1, opens the year in seventh position. Randolph-Macon is close behind in 10th, while Lynchburg is just two slots down in 12th place.

RELATED: NFCA Division III Preseason Poll

Much like last season, ODAC fans will not be short for familiar names with 26 of the 41 All-ODAC honorees from 2019 set to return to 2020 ODAC rosters. Virginia Wesleyan leads that charge with seven returners including six All-ODAC First Team honorees on reigning ODAC Coach of the Year Brandon Elliott's squad. That list is led by three-time ODAC Pitcher of the Year and former NFCA Player of the Year, lefty Hanna Hull. She's joined from the first team by righty Carla Hall, third baseman Julia Sinnett, outfielder Madison Glaubke -- who was the 2018 ODAC Player of the Year -- utility player Jessica Goldyn, and second baseman Katelyn Biando. The Marlins also welcome back All-ODAC Third Team shortstop Kaylah Duplain.

Emory & Henry boasts five All-ODAC returners led by first team first baseman Kendall Varner. She's joined by All-ODAC Second Team pitcher Cameron Derr, outfielder Anna Thomas, and shortstop Leanna Toler. Thomas was last season's ODAC Rookie of the Year. Pitcher Alex Braun earned a third team selection last season.

Lynchburg and Randolph-Macon each feature three returning all-conference standouts. The Hornets, who must replace the production of a stellar senior class the included national player of the year Mackenzie Chitwood, enjoy the return of a pair of second teamers in shortstop Kayla Hugate and second baseman Sarah Commons. Righty Alex Cisar was a third team choice in 2019. Randolph-Macon also graduated a strong senior class, but first team second baseman Maddie Stone is back to help make up for that lost production. She's joined by a pair of third team picks in catcher Sami Davidson and third baseman Taylor Sanderford.

Bridgewater and Roanoke College welcome back a pair of all-conference talents. New Eagles head coach Megan Pleskovic will benefit from the return of second team first baseman Katrina Martin and third team third baseman Stephanie Carroll in her first season in Bridgewater. Roanoke will look to first team outfielder Rebecca Hensley and third team utility player Shanan Hester for continued growth after strong first seasons in Salem.

The remaining four All-ODAC returners don Eastern Mennonite University, Ferrum College, Guilford College, and Shenandoah University colors. EMU welcomes back second team utility player Sierra Lantz, while Ferrum returns second team designated player Allison McGhee. Guilford has second team outfielder Natalie Conrad back in Greensboro. Conrad doubled as 2019 Co-ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Shenandoah and new mentor Courtney Moyer feature third team outfielder Morgan Henley.

In addition to new head coaches at Bridgewater and Shenandoah, Randolph College also features a new leader. Kasdyn Waldron is in her fourth season with the WildCats, but 2020 will be her first as head coach after serving as an assistant the previous three years.

RELATED: 2019 All-ODAC Awards

The 2020 season begins with non-conference play on Saturday, February 8. The first set of ODAC contests are slated for Wednesday, March 11. The conference tournament returns to Salem and the Moyer Complex the weekend of April 24-26.

Listed below is the complete 2020 ODAC Softball Preseason Poll. For more information on ODAC softball, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.  Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.