By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After winning its fourth MIAA championship a year ago, the Fort Hays State women’s basketball team is ranked first in both 2021-22 conference preseason polls, released Tuesday (Oct. 12) at MIAA Basketball Media Day presented by Seigfreid Bingham.
The Tigers are alone atop the coaches poll after picking up six of the possible 13 first-place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team), while FHSU is tied with Central Missouri for first place in the media poll.
The Tigers picked up 159 points in the coaches poll, five in front of Central Missouri and six ahead of Nebraska-Kearney. The Jennies and Lopers both received three first-place votes, while fourth-place Emporia State was listed atop the final two ballots and earned 136 points.
FHSU and Central Missouri both picked up 118 total points in the media poll, with the Tigers sitting atop four of the nine ballots submitted. Nebraska-Kearney was six points behind at 112, with ESU in fourth with 98 points.
Fort Hays State tied the conference record with 20 league victories last season, finishing the year 20-2 in conference play and 22-4 overall. The Tigers were picked to play in the NCAA DII national tournament for the sixth time over the last seven years in 2020-21, earning the top overall seed in the Central Region for the third time.
Fort Hays State returns nine players from last year’s squad, including four All-MIAA performers and two All-America selections. Jaden Hobbs and Whitney Randall are both back for an additional senior season with the extra year of eligibility granted to winter sport student-athletes by the NCAA during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the All-American duo from Alva, Okla., Olivia Hollenbeck and Cydney Bergmann also return after earning All-MIAA accolades a year ago. Fort Hays State added five newcomers this season, including three freshmen and a pair of Division I transfers.
Head coach Tony Hobson is entering his 14th season at Fort Hays State in 2021-22 and 30th year overall at the collegiate ranks. He carries a career record of 695-211 and a mark of 282-105 at Fort Hays State.
2021-2022 MIAA Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Fort Hays State (6) – 159 points
2. Central Missouri (3) – 154 points
3. Nebraska-Kearney (3) – 153 points
4. Emporia State (2) – 136 points
5. Central Oklahoma – 121 points
6. Washburn – 106 points
7. Pittsburg State – 94 points
8. Missouri Western – 78 points
T9. Missouri Southern – 71 points
T9. Northwest Missouri State – 71 points
11. Northeastern State – 49 points
12. Rogers State – 34 points
T13. Lincoln – 24 points
T13. Newman – 24 points
Coaches Are Not Allowed To Vote For Their Own Team
2021-2022 MIAA Women’s Basketball Preseason Media Poll
T1. Fort Hays State (4) – 118 points
T1. Central Missouri (5) – 118 points
3. Nebraska-Kearney – 112 points
4. Emporia State – 98 points
5. Central Oklahoma – 87 points
6. Washburn – 72 points
7. Pittsburg State – 70 points
8. Missouri Western – 65 points
9. Northwest Missouri State – 62 points
10. Missouri Southern – 49 points
T11. Northeastern State – 32 points
T11. Rogers State – 32 points
13. Newman – 18 points
14. Lincoln – 12 points