TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn Lady Blues volleyball team is ranked No. 6 in the preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association poll which was released today. The Lady Blues were tabbed as the No. 2 pick by the MIAA's coaches in the conference's preseason poll which was announced two weeks ago.

Five MIAA teams in all were ranked in the preseason top 25. Defending MIAA champion Central Missouri was tabbed fifth by the coaches, Emporia State was 12th, followed by Pittsburg State at No. 19 and Truman State rounded out the rankings at No. 25.

The Lady Blues return 12 letterwinners and six starters from the 2009 squad that finished the season 33-5 and advanced to their sixth straight NCAA Tournament and seventh in eight years. Washburn will open the 2010 season at the St. Mary's (Texas) Invitational in San Antonio, Texas on September 3 and 4.

For entire poll click here