KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two-time defending MIAA championCentral Missouri was the unanimous pick for preseason No. 1 in the 2011 volleyball coaches poll, the conference office announced Wednesday.

The Jennies received nine of 10 first-place votes (coaches were not able to vote for their own school) and 81 points to earn the top spot. Washburn, which received the remaining first-place vote, received 73 points to take the preseason No. 2 position.

Truman comes in at No. 3 after accumulating 65 points, followed byEmporiaStateat No. 4 with 50 points,PittsburgStateat No. 5 with 47 points andNorthwest Missouriat No. 6 with 39 points. UCM, WU, TSU, ESU and NWMSU earned berths in the NCAA South Central Regional last season.

MissouriSouthern was voted preseason No. 7 with 34 points, Missouri Western is No. 8 with 30 points, Southwest Baptist was selected No. 9 with 22 points, andFortHaysStatewas voted No. 10 with nine points.

The 2011 volleyball season is set to begin Friday, Sept. 2, with several non-conference tournaments. The first MIAA matchup of the season will take place Sept. 9.

2011 MIAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Missouri (9) – 81 pts.
2. Washburn (1) – 73 pts.
3. Truman – 65 pts.
4. Emporia State – 50 pts.
5. Pittsburg State – 47 pts.
6. Northwest Missouri – 39 pts.
7. Missouri Southern – 34 pts.
8. Missouri Western – 30 pts.
9. Southwest Baptist – 22 pts.
10. Fort Hays State – 9 pts.