University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Lopers Third in MIAA Preseason Poll

MIAA

Volleyball | 8/23/2024 11:01:00 AM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its preseason coaches poll for the 2024 volleyball season. MIAA head coaches selected the defending MIAA champion Central Missouri to finish at the top of the league again this season.

It was a close battle for the top spot in the 2024 MIAA Volleyball Coaches Preseason Poll with four different teams receiving first-place selections. The Jennies led the way with five first-place votes and 113 total points.

Central Missouri finished its 2023 campaign with an overall record of 26-8 and an MIAA record of 18-2 to capture the regular season title. The Jennies went on to win the league's tournament crown and advanced to the NCAA Central Region Championship where they suffered a 3-1 loss to top-ranked Concordia-St. Paul in a regional semifinal match.

Just three points behind the Jennies, Central Oklahoma tabbed the No. 2 spot in the coaches poll with 110 points and three first-place votes. The Bronchos finished second in the league standings last season with a conference record of 17-3.

Nebraska Kearney also totaled three first-place selections to secure the No. 3 spot in the poll with 106 points. The Lopers finished third in the MIAA last season and battled the Jennies in the league's tournament championship match. UNK also advanced to the NCAA postseason, falling to Wayne State 3-2 in the regional semifinals. The Lopers ended the 2023 season 16-4 in the MIAA and 29-6 overall.

UNK has four home scrimmages over the next week: Friday (Aug. 22) at 7 p.m. vs. Metro State, Saturday (Aug. 23) vs. Colorado School of Mines (10:30 a.m.) and Metro (12 p.m.) and next Friday (Aug. 29) at 5 p.m. vs. CSU-Pueblo. The regular season begins Sept. 6-7 at the Otter Invitational in California.

The 2024 MIAA volleyball season officially begins Thursday, September 5, with conference contests beginning Friday, September 27. The 2024 MIAA Volleyball Championship is scheduled for November 21-23 at the Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Mo.

2024 MIAA VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Missouri [5] – 113 points
2. Central Oklahoma [3] – 110 points
3. Nebraska Kearney [3] – 106 points
4. Washburn [1] – 90 points
5. Missouri Western – 81 points
6. Northwest Missouri – 68 points
7. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 62 points
8. Missouri Southern – 49 points
9. Emporia State – 39 points
10. Pittsburg State – 35 points
11. Fort Hays State – 28 points
12. Newman – 11 points
[#] - Number of First-Place Votes

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