Lady Blues picked third in MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

For immediate release - July 30, 2003

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association volleyball coaches have selected 2002 NCAA Division II runner-up Truman State University as the favorite to win the conference title for the upcoming season.

The Bulldogs, who finished tied for second in the conference last season, picked up six of a possible eight first-place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own schools) and collected 62 points. Central Missouri State, the squad Truman tied with in 2002, was selected second in the survey with 55 points and two first-place votes.

Defending conference champion Washburn was third in the poll with 51 points, after coming out of nowhere last season to claim the title. Pittsburg State picked up the remaining first-place vote and placed fourth in the poll with 44 points.

Emporia State and Missouri Western tied for fifth in the survey with 30 points, followed by Missouri Southern in seventh with 25 points.

Two programs will have new head coaches in 2003. Northwest Missouri State will be led by Lori DeJonge-Slight, which finished eighth in the poll with 19 points. Leslie Howe comes in to take over at Southwest Baptist, which finished ninth in the survey.

The 2003 season begins on August 29, and will include the return of the MIAA Postseason Tournament, November 11, 13 and 15. The winner gets the MIAA's automatic berth to the NCAA Division II tournament.

           2003 MIAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
             School                           Pts.
             1. Truman (6)................... 62
             2. Central Missouri State (2)... 55
             3. Washburn................. 51
             4. Pittsburg State (1).......... 44
             5. Emporia State................ 30
                Missouri Western............. 30
             7. Missouri Southern............ 25
             8. Northwest Missouri State..... 19
             9. Southwest Baptist............ 8
             Points awarded on a 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. Coaches 
             could not votefor their own school.