Lady Blues picked second in MIAA preseason volleyball poll
Aug. 1, 2006

One year after winning the MIAA regular season title Washburn was picked to finish second in the preseason coaches poll behind MIAA tournament champion Truman. The Lady Blues received 76 points and four first place votes and Truman picked up the other six top votes and earned 78 points in the poll released Tuesday by the conference office.

Washburn finished 35-3 last year and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. All three losses came against Truman, including the season-ending setback.

The Lady Blues will return two All-Americans in junior rightside hitter Tessa Jones and junior outside hitter Monica Miesner. The two joined junior outside hitter Mandi Cox as all-region honorees returning for Washburn. All four were all-MIAA selections, as was junior libero Erica Cowhick.

The conference will be divided into divisions this season. Central Missouri State, Missouri Western, Northwest Missouri State, Southwest Baptist and Truman will be in the East Division. The West includes Emporia State, Fort Hays State, Missouri Southern, Pittsburg State and Washburn.

The top four teams in each division will advance to the MIAA Postseason Tournament. First-round matches will be hosted by the top two seeds in each division on Oct. 31.

The last two rounds will be hosted by the highest remaining West Division seed starting Nov. 3, with the finals the next day.

*2006 MIAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll*

1 Truman (6) 78 pts
2 Washburn (4) 76 pts
3 Central Missouri State 65 pts
4 Emporia State 50 pts
5 Pittsburg State 48 pts
6 Missouri Southern 37 pts
7 Missouri Western 33 pts
8 Fort Hays State 26
9 Northwest Missouri State 23 pts
10 Southwest Baptist 14 pts