KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its preseason coaches poll for the 2024 softball season.
 
Central Oklahoma was picked to finish at the top of the league standings by MIAA head softball coaches with 167 points and the majority first place selections. The Bronchos captured the 2023 regular season title with a conference record of 23-3 and won four straight games in the MIAA postseason tournament to collect the 2023 championship title as well.
 
The Bronchos took their season all the way to the NCAA Division II national semifinals in Chattanooga, Tenn. Eleventh-year head coach Cody White led UCO to an overall record of 54-9 – a program record for wins.
 
Rogers State was selected second in the preseason poll with 153 points and a pair of first place votes. The Hillcats finished third in the MIAA last season with a league record of 22-8 and an overall record of 49-14 after winning the NCAA Division II national championship title in 2022.
 
Missouri Southern finished third in the coaches poll with 139 points and the remaining first place selection. The Lions finished as the league’s runner-up in both the regular season and postseason tournament. Southern ended its 2023 campaign with a 21-5 MIAA record and finished 41-15 overall.
 
Washburn occupies the No. 4 spot with 136 points in the poll while Missouri Western capped the coaches' top-five with 124 points.
 
Central Missouri was slatted No. 6 with 114 points, followed by Pittsburg State at No. 7 with 90 points and Fort Hays State at No. 8 with 83 points. Emporia State totaled 75 points in the poll for the No. 9 spot and Northwest Missouri was picked No. 10 with 60 points.
 
Northeastern State finished 11th, followed by Nebraska Kearney, Newman and Lincoln.
 
Opening day of the 2024 season begins February 2-3 as MIAA teams compete all over the country. MIAA doubleheaders are scheduled to begin on March 8. To see the complete schedule of all 14 MIAA softball teams, click here.
 
2024 MIAA SOFTBALL COACHES PRESEASON POLL
1.Central Oklahoma [11] – 167 points
2. Rogers State [2] – 153 points
3. Missouri Southern [1] – 139 points
4. Washburn – 136 points
5. Missouri Western – 124 points
6. Central Missouri – 114 points
7. Pittsburg State – 90 points
8. Fort Hays State – 83 points
9. Emporia State – 75 points
10. Northwest Missouri – 60 points
11. Northeastern State – 49 points
12. Nebraska Kearney – 44 points
13. Newman – 27 points
14. Lincoln – 14 points
[#] – First Place Votes