By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association released the 2022-23 Basketball Coaches and Media Preseason Polls on Tuesday morning, with the Washburn University women's team picked 10th in both polls.
The Ichabods concluded the 2021-22 regular season ninth in the conference standings and went 1-1 in the MIAA postseason tournament.
Washburn's 2022-2023 women's basketball team, beginning its first season under Lora Westling, has been picked 10th in both MIAA Preseason Polls. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Washburn finished with a 14-16 overall record while going 11-11 in MIAA play.
The Ichabods will open the 2022-23 campaign with an exhibition game at Nebraska on Oct. 30 before officially kicking off season Nov. 11-12 in the Washburn Crossover Classic at Lee Arena.
Washburn returns 10 student-athletes from last year's roster and adds five freshmen to this season's squad.
Former Washburn player Lora Westling will begin her first season as the head coach of the Ichabods after taking over for long-time head coach, Ron McHenry, who held the position for 22 years.
In the MIAA coaches poll, Missouri Southern was voted the favorite, earning six first-place votes and 159 points.
Fort Hays State was picked second with three first-place votes and 151 points. Nebraska-Kearney collected two first-place votes and 144 points and Missouri Western received the final first-place votes with three and 139 points. Central Missouri rounded out the top five with 127 points.
The first two teams were the same in the media poll with Missouri Southern and Fort Hays State. Central Missouri came in at third on the media list and Nebraska-Kearney was fourth. Missouri Western completed the top five.
2022 MIAA Women's Basketball
Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Missouri Southern [6] – 159 points
2. Fort Hays State [3] – 151
3. Nebraska Kearney [2] – 144 Points
4. Missouri Western [3] – 139 Points
5. Central Missouri – 127 Points
6. Emporia State – 106 Points
7. Northwest Missouri – 100 Points
8. Pittsburg State – 85 Points
9. Central Oklahoma – 74 Points
10. Washburn – 62 Points
11. Rogers State – 50 Points
12. Northeastern State – 31 Points
13. Newman – 28 Points
14. Lincoln – 18 Points
2022 MIAA Women's Basketball
Preseason Media Poll
1. Missouri Southern [13] – 249 Points
2. Fort Hays State [4] – 234 Points
3. Central Missouri [3] – 218 Points
4. Nebraska Kearney – 216 Points
5. Missouri Western – 211 Points
6. Northwest Missouri – 164 Points
7. Emporia State – 145 Points
8. Pittsburg State – 129 Points
9. Central Oklahoma – 127 Points
10. Washburn – 108 Points
11. Rogers State – 74 Points
12. Northeastern State – 57 Points
T13. Lincoln – 31 Points
T13. Newman – 31 Points
