Four MIAA schools ranked in the top 15

The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association had five schools ranked in the top 25, including a pair in the top three and two more making the top 15 of the preseason CBS College Sports Network/American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II Coaches Poll released Tuesday (Aug. 19).

Washburn (38-4, 12-1 MIAA), an NCAA Division II semifinalist last season, was ranked behind only defending national champion Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.). The defending MIAA champion, Truman (36-6, 12-1 MIAA), was right behind the Lady Blues with a No. 3 national ranking.

Emporia State (27-9, 10-3 MIAA) was ranked No. 11, with Central Missouri (31-7, 9-4 MIAA) coming in at No. 13 and Pittsburg State (26-9, 8-5 MIAA) getting ranked 17th by the panel of 36 coaches.

MIAA newcomer Nebraska-Omaha (17-9, 8-4 North Central Conference), a regional qualifier last season, was the only other conference school to receive votes on at least two ballots.

The only other school from the South Central Region, West Texas A&M from the Lone Star Conference, was ranked fifth, while the LSC's Central Oklahoma also received votes.

Just one conference — the Northern Sun Intercollegiate, from which Concordia-St. Paul hails — had as many schools in the top 25 as the MIAA (CUSP, No. 8 Minnesota-Duluth, No. 12 Southwest Minnesota State, No. 19 Minnesota State-Mankato and No. 20 Augustana [S.D.]).

With four MIAA schools ranked in the top 15, no other conference could claim a higher number of members in that sample.

Washburn will open the season Aug. 29 with a pair of matches at the Colorado State-Pueblo Tournament. The Truman Bulldogs and Pitt State Gorillas open at the Missouri S&T Middle of Everywhere Classic on that day.

The UCM Jennies begin their 33rd and final season under the guidance of Peggy Martin with a trip to Alaska-Anchorage Aug. 28. Meanwhile, the ESU Hornets will start the following day at the UNO Comfort Inn & Suites/Firewater Grille Tournament.