By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Washburn University volleyball was picked to finish third in the 2025 MIAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll released by the conference on Friday morning.
Washburn volleyball was picked third in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released Friday by the conference office. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Coming off a 21-8 season that included an 11-5 MIAA regular-season record, the Ichabods received 98 total points in the preseason poll.
Washburn finished fourth in the 2024 regular season and fell in the MIAA Tournament quarterfinals before ultimately advancing to the NCAA Central Region Semifinals.
Nebraska-Kearney leads the pack among the coaches with 119 total points and nine of 12 first-place votes.
Central Oklahoma was picked second, receiving the final three first-place votes and earning 111 total points.
Rounding out the top five behind Washburn are Missouri Western with 96 points and Central Missouri with 73.
Washburn will begin the season on September 5 at the Oredigger Volleyball Classic in Golden, Colo.
The first MIAA match will come on Sept. 26 against Northwest Missouri State inside of Whiting Fieldhouse at 6 p.m.
2025 MIAA VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Nebraska Kearney [9] - 119 points
2. Central Oklahoma [3] - 111 points
3. Washburn - 98 points
4. Missouri Western - 96 points
5. Central Missouri - 73 points
T6. Emporia State - 69 points
T6. Northwest Missouri - 69 points
8. Fort Hays State - 45 points
9. Pittsburg State - 43 points
10. Arkansas-Fort Smith - 35 points
11. Missouri Southern - 23 points
12. Newman - 12 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes