UNO Selected as MIAA Softball Preseason No. 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Nebraska-Omaha edged Missouri Western for preseason No. 1 in the 2010 MIAA Softball Coaches Poll, the conference office announced Friday.
 
Nebraska-Omaha received six first-place votes and 94 points, while Missouri Western collected the other five first-place votes and 92 points.
 
Both Omaha and Western made it to the finals of the two NCAA Division II South Central Regional four-team tournaments in 2009 before falling short of advancing to the best-of-three regional championship series. The Griffons are ranked No. 8 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Preseason Top 25, while the Mavericks are No. 12.
 
Six-time defending MIAA Tournament Champion Emporia State checks in at No. 3 in the preseason MIAA poll with 77 points. The Hornets advanced to the South Central Regional last season before being eliminated by Nebraska-Omaha.
 
Defending MIAA Champion Central Missouri was selected as the No. 4 team, accumulating 72 points. The Jennies qualified for the South Central Regional in 2009, where they were eliminated by Missouri Western.
 
Pittsburg State was voted No. 5 with 63 points, followed by Washburn at No. 6 with 58 points. Missouri Southern was seventh with 45 points, while Fort Hays State was eighth with 37 points, Northwest Missouri ninth with 31 points, Southwest Baptist 10th with 19 points and Truman 11th with 17 points.
 
2010 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Nebraska-Omaha (6) - 94 pts.
2. Missouri Western (5) - 92 pts.
3. Emporia State - 77 pts.
4. Central Missouri - 72 pts.
5. Pittsburg State - 63 pts.
6. Washburn - 58 pts.
7. Missouri Southern - 45 pts.
8. Fort Hays State - 37 pts.
9. Northwest Missouri - 31 pts.
10. Southwest Baptist - 19 pts.
11. Truman - 17 pts.