By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University's women's basketball team has been picked for a sixth-place finish in the MIAA 2021-22 preseason coaches and media polls.
Fort Hays State, the defending MIAA regular-season champion, was tabbed the league favorite in the coaches poll while the Tigers tied with Central Missouri for the top spot in the media poll.
Fort Hays State received six first-place votes in the coaches poll for a total of 159 points, while Central Missouri received three first-place votes and 154 points.
Defending MIAA Tournament champion Nebraska-Kearney was picked No.3 with three first-place votes and 153 points, followed by Emporia State in fourth with two first-place votes and 136 points. Central Oklahoma rounded out the top five.
Hunter Bentley is a top returning player for Washburn's women's basketball team, picked No. 6 in the MIAA coaches and media preseason polls. [File photo]
Washburn, 12-12 last season, was voted sixth and received 106 points, followed by Pittsburg State, Missouri Western, Missouri Southern, Northwest Missouri, Northeastern State, Rogers State, Lincoln and Newman. Missouri Southern tied for the No. 9 spot in the coaches poll and Lincoln and Newman tied for the 13th position.
Fort Hays State and Central Missouri both finished with 118 points in the media poll, with Central Missouri receiving five first-place votes and Fort Hays Stat four.
Nebraska-Kearney followed in third 112 points with Emporia State fourth with 98 points and Central Oklahoma fifth with 87 points.
The media picked Washburn sixth, followed by Pittsburg State, Missouri Western, Northwest Missouri, Missouri Southern, Northeastern State, Rogers State, Newman and Lincoln. Northeastern State and Rogers State tied for 13th in the media poll.
2021-2022 MIAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Fort Hays State (6) ... 159 points
2. Central Missouri (3) ... 154 points
3. Nebraska Kearney (3) ... 153 points
4. Emporia State (2) ... 136 points
5. Central Oklahoma ... 121 points
6. Washburn ... 106 points
7. Pittsburg State ... 94 points
8. Missouri Western ... 78 points
T9. Missouri Southern ... 71 points
T9. Northwest Missouri ... 71 points
11. Northeastern State ... 49 points
12. Rogers State ... 34 points
T13. Lincoln ... 24 points
T13. Newman ... 24 points
2021-2022 MIAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
T1. Central Missouri (5) ... 118 points
T1. Fort Hays State (4) ... 118 points
3. Nebraska Kearney ... 112 points
4. Emporia State ... 98 points
5. Central Oklahoma ... 87 points
6. Washburn ... 72 points
7. Pittsburg State ... 70 points
8. Missouri Western ... 65 points
9. Northwest Missouri ... 62 points
10. Missouri Southern ... 49 points
T11. Northeastern State ... 32 points
T11. Rogers State ... 32 points
13. Newman ... 18 points
14. Lincoln ... 12 points
