KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Defending MIAA co-champion Washburn has been selected by the coaches to win the conference this year. The Lady Blues got 137 points and seven of the 13 first place votes to edge out Central Missouri in the voting.
The Jennies who finished tied atop the league standings with Washburn last season, finished just six points behind them in preseason voting taking four first place votes. The Jennies and Lady Blues represented the MIAA in the NCAA regional tournament last year as UCM defeated Washburn 3-1 to advance to the NCAA Elite Eight where they fell to eventual National Champion Concordia St. Paul.
Newcomer Nebraska-Kearney comes in with the #3 ranking with 129 points coming in ahead of Emporia State who earns the #4 spot with 108 points. Truman who finished fourth in the league last year earns the #5 spot coming in just six points behind the Hornets in the voting.
Pittsburg State sets in the #6 spot heading into the 2012 campaign after finishing seventh in the league last year. Northwest Missouri wraps up the #7 spot with 66 as just seven points separate the next four places. #8 Fort Hays State just edges out #9 Missouri Western with 63 points versus just 62 points. Lindenwood in this first year as a member of the MIAA takes the #10 slot with 59 total points.
The bottom three slots are separated by just one point each as Southwest Baptist comes in with the #11 slot and 28 points. Central Oklahoma earned 27 points for the #12 slot and Missouri Southern earned the #13 slot with 26 points in the poll.
The season will get underway on August 31 as many of the MIAA squads will hit the road for early season tournament play.
2012 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Washburn (7) 137
2. Central Missouri (4) 131
3. Nebraska-Kearney (2) 129
4. Emporia State 108
5. Truman 102
6. Pittsburg State 76
7. Northwest Missouri 66
8. Fort Hays State 63
9. Missouri Western 62
10. Lindenwood 59
11. Southwest Baptist 28
12. Central Oklahoma 27
13. Missouri Southern 26