Defending MIAA volleyball champion Emporia State was selected as preseason No. 1 by a slight margin over Washburn in the 2009 MIAA coaches poll, the conference office announced Wednesday afternoon.
The Hornets and Ichabods each received five first place votes, with Emporia State tallying 94 points and Washburn totaling 92 points. In addition to winning the 2008 conference title, Emporia advanced to the NCAA regional final a year ago. Washburn placed third in the MIAA and advanced to the NCAA regional tournament in 2008.
Coming in at No. 3 was Central Missouri, as the Jennies picked up 79 points. Central finished fourth in the MIAA in 2008 and made it to the NCAA regional semifinals.
Nebraska-Omaha, which received one first-place vote, and Truman State tied for the fourth spot with 69 points. Truman finished as the 2008 MIAA runner-up and advanced all the way to the national semifinals. Omaha was sixth in the MIAA in 2008 and qualified for the NCAA regional tournament.
Pittsburg State was voted preseason No. 6 with 61 points. The Gorillas finished fifth in the MIAA a year ago and made the NCAA regional tournament.
Northwest Missouri State came in at No. 7 with 40 points, Missouri Southern State was voted eighth with 37 points, Southwest Baptist took the ninth spot with 35 points, Fort Hays State was 10th with 15 points, and Missouri Western State was voted 11th with 14 points.
In 2008, Northwest, Southern, Southwest Baptist, Fort Hays and Western finished seventh, tied for eighth, tied for eighth, 10th and 11th in the MIAA, respectively.
The 2009 MIAA volleyball season starts Friday, Aug. 28, with several tournament matches. MIAA league play begins Tuesday, Sept. 15.
VOLLEYBALL POLL
1. Emporia State (5) – 94 pts.
2. Washburn (5) – 92 pts.
3. Central Missouri – 79 pts.
T4. Nebraska-Omaha (1) – 69 pts.
T4. Truman State – 69 pts.
6. Pittsburg State – 61 pts.
7. Northwest Missouri State – 40 pts.
8. Missouri Southern State – 37 pts.
9. Southwest Baptist – 35 pts.
10. Fort Hays State – 15 pts.
11. Missouri Western State – 14 pts.
PITTSBURG —
