​Expectations are high as the high school softball season gets started in the Greater Savannah area after a historic run last year with three local teams reaching the GHSA’s Elite Eight held in Columbus.South Effingham advanced to the Class 5A state finals where the Mustangs lost to Creekview.The Mustangs cross-county rival, Effingham County, won the Region 1-5A title and made its way to Columbus to compete in the Class 5A Elite Eight.Richmond Hill won a region title of its own and the Wildcats advanced to the Elite Eight in Class 6A. This season, Richmond Hill will compete in Class 7A, with South Effingham and Effingham County playing in Class 6A.There are a number of talented players coming back including South Effingham catcher Danni Lynn, the All-Greater Savannah Player of the Year last season, who has committed to play at Maryland.Her teammates, seniors Justine Nevels and Alyssa Martin, have both committed to play at UNC Wilmington.We recently published a list of the top returning softball players in the Greater Savannah area for the 2026 season.Here’s a chance for readers to weigh in and select their favorite in an open poll with no restrictions on the voting. The pol will close on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 10 a.m.Here are the candidates.Reader Poll: Preseason Savannah area Softball Player of the YearDanni Lynn, South Effingham, sr., CCheniyah Jackson, South Effingham, sr., PJustine Nevels, South Effingham, sr., 1BAlyssa Martin, South Effingham, sr., 3BAubrey Ragins, Richmond Hill, sr., SSSydney Minshall, South Effingham, jr., SSAva Wiley, Effingham County, sr., P/DPMady Reagan, Effingham County, sr., OFRosie Dixon, South Effingham, sr., P/INFKenzi Polk, South Effingham, sr., OFCheyenne Hart, Effingham County, sr., SSKainani Auld, Richmond Hill, sr., OFAshella Matias, Richmond Hill, sr., OFGessilyn Clark, Richmond Hill, jr.Emily Johnson, Bryan County, sr., 1BLila Hannah, Bryan County, jr., PHeather Garrett, Bradwell Institute, sr., INFLayla Santiago, Liberty County, jr.Jenny Parker, Effingham County, sr., 1BBrighton Harpe, Liberty County, sr.Kayleigh Barnard, Liberty County, sr.Ma’Kaiyah Gray, Jenkins, sr.Peyton Scott, Bryan County, jr.Carly Hubbard, Savannah Christian, sr.Riley Braken, Effingham County, jr., 3BRemi Stallcup, Savannah Christian, sr.Laila Boyd, Effingham County, fresh., PDennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMNThis article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Vote for the top returning softball player in the Greater Savannah area