FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
KANSAS CITY – The Fort Hays State volleyball team has been picked to finish seventh in the 2016 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, which was released by the conference office Thursday. The Tigers received 64 points in the poll, which is voted on by the 12 coaches in the league. Coaches do not list their own school on their ballot.
Fort Hays State is coming off arguably its strongest season since joining the MIAA 10 seasons ago, finishing 21-13 overall and 10-8 in league play in 2015. It was the first winning record in conference play since joining the league in 2006. The Tigers finished the regular season sixth in the conference standings last year, advancing to the MIAA Tournament before falling to nationally-ranked Nebraska-Kearney.
The 2016 rendition of the Tigers will feature a number of familiar faces, with 11 letter winners returning from a year ago. Included in that mix are four All-MIAA performers in seniors Rebekah Spainhour, Crystal Whitten and Megan Anderson, along with sophomore Sydney Dixon. The addition of 10 freshman and six transfers will provide the depth necessary to succeed in the MIAA, regularly one of the toughest conferences in NCAA Divison II.
The 2016 season will get underway when the Tigers head to Goodwell, Okla. to take part in the Aggie Challenge Sept. 2-3. After a three weekends of non-conference play, conference action starts in earnest Sept. 20 at Nebraska-Kearney before the Tigers’ home opener on Friday, Sept. 23 against Emporia State inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.
Click 2016 FHSU Volleyball Preview for a more in-depth look at the season ahead.
The top four teams in the poll are separated by just eight points, with Washburn leading the way with 110 points after receiving five first-place votes. Defending MIAA Tournament champion Central Missouri is tied with defending regular season champion Central Oklahoma for second after earning 106 points apiece, with each school being listed atop three ballots. Nebraska-Kearney picked up the remaining first-place vote and 102 points to rank fourth.
Missouri Western (77 points) and Northwest Missouri State (69) were ranked just ahead of FHSU in fifth and sixth place, respectively. Emporia State, Lindenwood and Pittsburg State round out the top-10 while Southwest Baptist and Missouri Southern sit in 11th and 12th, respectively.
2016 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Washburn (5) – 110
T2. Central Missouri (3) – 106
T2. Central Oklahoma (3) – 106
4. Nebraska-Kearney (1) – 102
5. Missouri Western – 77
6. Northwest Missouri – 69
7. Fort Hays State – 64
8. Emporia State – 51
9. Lindenwood – 39
10. Pittsburg State – 36
11. Southwest Baptist – 17
12. Missouri Southern – 15