WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Oct. 31, 2017) - Two women's basketball preseason polls were released this afternoon and Central Missouri appeared in both. The Jennies were ranked 13th by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and 11th by the Division II Sports Information Directors of America (D2SIDA).

Central Missouri moved up nine spots in the coaches poll from the final rankings of 2016-17 where the finished 22nd. Following their 24-7 season and regional appearance, the Jens are picked 13th by the coaches to start the season. It is their highest ranking in any week since the end of the 2013-14 season. It is also their highest preseason ranking since being chosen eighth, that same year. 

The Jennies are the second-highest MIAA team in the WBCA rankings and third in the Central Region. Emporia State is ranked 11th while Pittsburg State and Central Oklahoma are receiving votes out of the MIAA. Defending champions Ashland is tops in the poll with 23-of-24 first-place votes. Virginia Union received the final first place vote and is ranked second. Harding, who ended the Jennies season in 2016-17 and compete in the central region were picked third, while Alaska-Anchorage and Colorado State-Pueblo round out the top five. 

UCM was picked a few spots higher in the D2SIDA media poll. That poll is comprised of national sports information directors. The Jens are the top MIAA team in the media poll ranking 11th. Ashland, Harding, Alaska-Anchorage, Columbus State and Colorado State-Pueblo comprise the top five.

D2SIDA also released a pre-season regional ranking. The Jennies were picked second in the region behind Harding and claimed one of five first-place votes. 

Last week, Central Missouri was picked to finish first in the MIAA. UCM last won the MIAA regular season in 2013-14 and last won an MIAA Tournament title in 1989-90. 

The 2017-18 season kicks off in Kansas City Nov. 10-11 against a pair of Northern Sun opponents Mary and Northern State. Northern State is receiving votes in the WBCA poll.