USA TODAY Sports

The Florida softball team begins the 2016 season just where it ended the 2015 season. And, as a matter of fact, the 2014 season.

The two-time defending NCAA champion Gators are No. 1 in the USA TODAY/NFCA Division I Softball Coaches Poll, released Monday. The Gators received 26 of the 32 first-place votes. Michigan (2), LSU (2), Auburn (1) and Alabama (1) also received first-place votes.

Florida returns 12 letter winners from last season's national champion, including All-America first team infielder and the reigning SEC Player of the Year Kelsey Stewart.

2016 USA TODAY/NFCA Division I Softball Coaches Poll

Preseason | Jan. 26, 2016