Lady Blues picked third in MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

For immediate release - Aug. 2, 2005
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association volleyball coaches have selected defending champion Truman State University as the favorite to win the conference title for the upcoming season. The Lady Blues were picked third in the annual coaches poll and received one first place vote.

The Bulldogs edged Central Missouri State for the honors after finishing as NCAA Division II national runner-up in 2004 with a 37-1 record, but losing their head coach after the season. Jason Skoch replaces Qi Wang as Truman's leader, and his team picked up five first-place votes and 61 of a possible 64 points.

The CMSU Jennies earned three first-place tallies and was just two points behind the Bulldogs. Central Missouri State was in the NCAA-II tournament for a record 22nd consecutive season under Peggy Martin last season.

Washburn earned the only remaining first-place vote and was a distant third with 49 points. Pittsburg State ended up fourth in the survey with 41 points.

Emporia State, with Bing Xu taking over as Hornets' head coach in 2005, was selected fifth with 37 points, followed by Northwest Missouri State in sixth (28) and Missouri Southern in seventh (24). Missouri Western (15) and Southwest Baptist (10) round out the survey.

The regular season schedule commences on Aug. 25, when the CMSU Jennies travel to Tampa (Fla.).

2005 MIAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll

School Pts.
1. Truman (5) 61
2. Central Missouri State (3) 59
3. Washburn (1) 49
4. Pittsburg State 41
5. Emporia State 37
6. Northwest Missouri State 28
7. Missouri Southern 24
8. Missouri Western 15
9. Southwest Baptist 10

Points awarded on a 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Coaches could not vote for their own school.