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Optimism abounds as the University of North Georgia's (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) spring sports season begins.

Four spring teams are ranked in national polls, and the men's and women's soccer teams on Feb. 1 started a season postponed five months by the COVID-19 pandemic. The rifle and women's basketball teams, both in the middle of their winter seasons, are each ranked in the national polls, as well.

"As we look to the start of spring sports, we are beyond excited that these programs will have the opportunity to join our winter sports and compete on campus," Â鶹ÊÓƵ Director of Athletics said. "The health, safety and wellbeing of our student-athletes is of the utmost importance, and we are excited to provide them with the opportunity to compete at home in front of Nighthawk Nation while maintaining the highest regard for their safety along with that of our coaches, staff and spectators."

Fresh off a No. 3 finish nationally in the shortened 2020 season, the Â鶹ÊÓƵ ranked No. 2 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association preseason poll and is the preseason Peach Belt Conference (PBC) favorite. The Nighthawks, who finished 23-4 last year, began the season Feb. 7.

Head coach said the preseason honors are a testament to the program's sustained success, and this year is a new opportunity to build on that foundation amid the challenges of COVID-19.

"This team has to create its own identity in the 2021 season," Davenport said.

The PBC tournaments for softball, baseball, men's and women's soccer, and men's and women's tennis will each be limited to four teams.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ will offer free admission to home baseball, softball and soccer contests. Masks are required at the facilities. Capacity will be limited at each facility based on available socially distant spaces. Admission to events will be capped when all marked seating in the bleachers and common areas for standing or chairs is occupied. Full spectator policies are available on the .

Other spring sports opening the season in February are:

• The men's and women's tennis teams, which opened the season Feb. 7, are ranked nationally. The and the in their respective polls.
• The debuted at No. 15 in the pre-spring Bushnell Golf Week poll. In the fall, the Nighthawks tied for fourth in the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Invitational. They open their spring schedule Feb. 22. The starts its season Feb. 8.
• The , coming off a 13-6 campaign in 2020, was No. 2 in the preseason PBC poll and began the season Feb. 4. The Nighthawks have won at least a share of the PBC title in three of the past five full seasons.
• The starts the season with first-year head coach on March 6.

For the men's and women's soccer teams, it was a long wait to start their shortened season that won't feature any NCAA tournaments.

Men's head coach is grateful his players could practice in the fall. His team, ranked sixth in the PBC preseason poll, was also excited to return to the field for preseason practice in January.

"It allows them to forget momentarily what's happening in the world," Parris said. "The kids are smiling again. They're going through something that's very familiar."

The women's soccer team, ranked third in the PBC preseason poll, reached the NCAA tournament second round in 2019 and will look to build off that success this spring. , who is in her fourth season on the team's coaching staff, will serve as interim head coach.

"Our players are upbeat," Ralton said. "And they're excited to play again."