WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Oct. 19, 2017)-- Central Missouri Jennies Basketball was picked to finish first for the upcoming 2017-18 season in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released Thursday morning by the conference office.
The Jennies garnered 158 points and received seven first-place votes. Pittsburg State checked in at second with four-first place votes and just one point behind the Jennies with 157. Defending MIAA Tournament champions Emporia State is third with 150 points and received two first-place votes. Central Oklahoma (138 points) and Fort Hays State (110 points) round out the top five. UCO received the final first-place vote.
Points were awarded on a 13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis and coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.
The Jennies are coming off a strong 2016-17 season that saw them finish 24-7 and make a return trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Jennies finished the MIAA regular season at 15-4, which is the third most conference wins in team history and was good for second place in the MIAA standings.
UCM brings back all three All-MIAA selections in Paige Redmond, Kayonna Lee, and Megan Skaggs. Redmond was a first team selection while Skaggs and Lee garnered Honorable Mention status. Redmond was also named a WBCA All-American after earning D2CCA Second Team All-Region honors. Along with the three all-conference players, the Jennies bring back plenty experience with seven returners and have five newcomers.
The Jennies will take the floor for the first time in 2017-18 in a neutral site match against Mary University on Friday, Nov. 10, at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
Complete MIAA Poll
1 - Central Missouri (7) - 158 points
2 - Pittsburg State (4) - 157
3 - Emporia State (2) - 150
4 - Central Oklahoma (1) - 138
5 - Fort Hays State - 110
6 - Missouri Western - 106
7 - Lindenwood - 96
8 - Washburn - 88
9 - Southwest Baptist - 78
10 - Nebraska-Kearney - 62
11 - Missouri Southern - 49
12 - Northwest Missouri - 43
13 - Northeastern State - 21
13 - Lincoln - 18
*First-place votes in ()
