Grading the Knights

2010-11 has been the most successful athletics season in UCF history, capped off with Conference USA championships in football, track & field, women's basketball and men's golf. Six different teams were ranked nationally in top-25 polls, distinguishing UCF as the only school in the country with this honor.

Here are the Central Florida Future's grades for UCF's major varsity sports teams:

Men's sports

Baseball — B (...so far)

Since Terry Rooney has taken over as the Knights' head coach, he's had two back-to-back top-20 recruiting classes and signed players such as Ronnie Richardson and D.J. Hicks, who could have easily played professional baseball right out of high school. The baseball team has had some major upsets this season, the biggest over No. 5 Florida, but still has some work to do with the rotation and bullpen in order to compete with Rice for the C-USA title.

Basketball — B-

The basketball team would have received a much higher grade, but after starting out

15-0 and then losing eight straight games, it was made evident that the Knights are still in rebuilding mode. In head coach Donnie Jones' first season, Jones helped star player Marcus Jordan elevate his game to the next level and brought in UCF's best recruiting class ever, so next season shouldn't be as streaky.

Football — A

It was a stellar year for the Knights football team, taking home their second C-USA Championship and their first-ever bowl victory after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in the Liberty Bowl. UCF finished the season No. 21 in the AP top 25 poll and will likely appear in the pre-season rankings. The only thing keeping the Jeff Godfrey-led Knights from an A+ grade was losing to Southern Miss on Nov. 12 after entering the top 25.

Golf — A-

The golf team achieved a three-peat Tuesday after winning its third consecutive C-USA championship in a row. Although they're not ranked in the top-25 nationally, the Knights ranked No. 33 in the Golfweek/Sagarin college rankings and have gotten a big boost by freshman Greg Eason.

Soccer — A-

The soccer team had its most successful season in team history, making it all the way to the second round of the NCAA Tournament where they lost to Michigan 2-1 in over time. The soccer team's star players, Cam Cooksey and Nik Robson, look to likely lead the team on another NCAA Tournament run next season.

Tennis — C-

The tennis team finished up its spring season 9-15 and lost in the quarterfinals of the C-USA championship to Memphis.

Women's sports

Basketball — B+

Even though the women's basketball team wasn't ranked in the top 25, the Knights, led by D'Nay Daniels, won 11 consecutive games to win the C-USA championship and appear in the NCAA Tournament. The Knights lost in the first round to national powerhouse Ohio State, but put up a respectable effort against the Buckeyes.

Golf — D

The highest finish that the women's golf team had this season was fourth place in the John Kirk/Panther Collegiate.

Soccer — A-

The back-to-back C-USA regular-season champions would have a higher grade if they closed the deal in the C-USA Championship, but they lost to Memphis 1-0 (again). Still, the Aline Reis-led Knights soccer team is impressive, finishing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament after losing to UCLA 2-1. Still, it was their fourth consecutive at-large bid to the tourney.

Softball — C- (...so far)

It's disappointing to go to the NCAA Regionals one year and then go 18-28 the next (the season isn't over yet, but it's not looking like the Knights will repeat). However, the Knights were in rebuilding mode this season after losing their star pitcher Ashleigh Cole.

Tennis — C

The tennis team finished its season 12-8 with a loss to Rice in the second round of the C-USA Championship tournament.  With only one senior on the team, the No. 75 nationally-ranked Knights should improve next season.

Track & field — A

The Knights have dominated both the indoor and outdoor track scene, ranking in the top-25 in both sports. The outdoor track team is currently ranked No. 17 and the indoor track team was ranked as high as No. 8 nationally during the season.

Volleyball — C

The volleyball team, led by star player Kristin Fisher, finished 18-18 this season. Fisher left the team this season, even though she was only a junior, to concentrate on nursing school.