FHSU Sports Information Department
LILBURN, Ga. – For the third consecutive week, the Fort Hays State women’s basketball team is receiving votes in the WBCA NCAA Division II Coaches’ Poll. The latest edition of the Top 25 was released Tuesday (Jan. 3) by the organization. The Tigers received seven points in the voting process.
It is the fifth time the Tigers have been listed in the poll this season, reaching as high as 25th in the poll after their 6-0 start.
Fort Hays State is one of five MIAA schools recognized in the latest release. Emporia State climbed to second in the poll after defeating Pittsburg State, with the Gorillas dipping to No. 6. Central Oklahoma fell one spot to No. 20 after losing its first game of the season. Central Missouri, FHSU’s next opponent, is also listed in the receiving votes category, seven slots ahead of the Tigers.
Nine schools representing the Central Region are listed in the poll, including those also receiving votes, three more than the next-closest region (Southeast).
The Tigers will return to conference action this week when they host Central Missouri and Southwest Baptist. First up is a Thursday evening (Jan. 5) duel with the Jennies, with first tip set for 5:30 p.m.
Below is the WBCA Division II Top 25 Coaches’ Poll for January 3, 2017.
| Rank | School (1st Place Votes) | Record | Points | Last Week |
| 1 | Ashland (22) | (14-0) | 598 | 1 |
| 2 | Emporia State | (12-1) | 556 | 5 |
| 3 | Virginia Union (2) | (9-0) | 512 | 6 |
| 4 | Bellarmine | (10-1) | 490 | 4 |
| 5 | Angelo State | (10-0) | 486 | 7 |
| 6 | Pittsburg State | (11-1) | 485 | 3 |
| 7 | Alaska-Anchorage | (10-0) | 476 | 8 |
| 8 | California (Pa.) | (11-1) | 444 | 2 |
| 9 | Colorado State-Pueblo | (13-0) | 422 | 9 |
| 10 | Lincoln Memorial | (11-0) | 405 | 10 |
| 11 | California Baptist | (13-2) | 362 | 11 |
| 12 | Drury | (11-2) | 297 | 14 |
| 13 | Arkansas Tech | (7-1) | 267 | 15 |
| 14 | Winona State | (12-2) | 261 | 16 |
| 15 | Seattle Pacific | (11-1) | 228 | 13 |
| 16 | Lewis | (11-2) | 200 | 17 |
| 17 | Bentley | (11-3) | 194 | 12 |
| 18 | Wheeling Jesuit | (9-1) | 186 | 18 |
| 19 | Columbus State | (8-0) | 156 | 23 |
| 20 | Central Oklahoma | (11-1) | 104 | 19 |
| 21 | Grand Valley State | (9-3) | 98 | 21 |
| 21 | North Georgia | (10-1) | 98 | 24 |
| 23 | Clayton State | (9-2) | 80 | 22 |
| 24 | Minnesota State-Moorhead | (11-1) | 71 | RV |
| 25 | Northern State | (10-2) | 65 | 25 |
Dropped Out: No. 20 Florida Southern (8-4).
Receiving Votes: Eckerd (10-2) 52; Saint Mary’s, TX (11-2) 29; Adelphi (11-2) 28; Simon Fraser (12-2) 24; Queens, NY (10-3) 17; Central Missouri (10-1) 17; Regis, CO (10-2) 11; West Florida (9-2) 11; Limestone (7-3) 10; Anderson, SC (8-2) 9; Glenville State (9-1) 8; Caldwell (10-3) 7; Fort Hays State (11-2) 7.