The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team was selected fifth in both the MIAA Preseason Coaches and Media Polls released on Wednesday, part of MIAA Women’s Basketball Virtual Media Day. Fort Hays State finished 20-9 overall and fifth in the MIAA standings at 12-8.
The top three teams in each poll mirror the finish in the standings from last year as Washburn is picked first, Pittsburg State second, and Emporia State third. Conference newcomer Northeastern State is picked to finish fourth in each poll, followed by Fort Hays State and Central Missouri.
There was nearly a 50/50 split on the first-place voting for Washburn and Pittsburg State. In the Coaches Poll, Washburn had eight first place votes compared to six for Pittsburg State and had 11 more voting points overall. Washburn and Pittsburg State each had eight first-place votes in the media poll and Washburn held the edge in total voting points by just three.
FHSU returns four starters from last year, which includes their top two scorers in Kate Edwards and Kate Lehman. Edwards, a junior this year, averaged 14.6 points game and Lehman, a sophomore this year, averaged 10.7 points per game. The other returning starters include seniors Traci Keyser and Kelsie Sorenson. Edwards and Lehman were All-MIAA selections last year, while Keyser was in the year prior. FHSU has 11 of its letterwinners from last year returning in 2012-13. The Tigers have also added five freshman and one junior transfer to the squad this year.
2012-13 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Washburn (8) 189
2. Pittsburg State (6) 178
3. Emporia State (1) 171
4. Northeastern State 154
5. Fort Hays State 139
6. Central Missouri 135
7. Truman 112
8. Central Oklahoma 110
T9. Lincoln 65
T9. Missouri Southern 65
11. Missouri Western 64
T12. Lindenwood 62
T12. Southwest Baptist 62
14. Northwest Missouri 51
15. Nebraska-Kearney 18
2012-13 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Washburn (8) 257
2. Pittsburg State (8) 254
3. Emporia State (2) 235
4. Northeastern State 204
5. Fort Hays State 193
6. Central Missouri 183
7. Central Oklahoma 156
8. Truman 152
9. Lindenwood 117
10. Southwest Baptist 93
11. Lincoln 87
12. Missouri Western 69
13. Missouri Southern 65
14. Northwest Missouri 60
15. Nebraska-Kearney 35