KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Washburn Lady Blues were picked to finish second in the MIAA preseason volleyball coaches poll released today. Defending champion Central Missouri was picked first and received 10 of 11 first-place votes and tallied 100 points. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

The Lady Blues, who open the season Sept. 3-4 at the St. Mary's Invitational in San Antonio, Texas, received one first-place vote and 91 points to take the second spot. Emporia State tallied 80 points and was picked third, followed by Pittsburg State (69 points) and Truman State (64 points).

The Lady Blues return 12 letterwinners and six starters from the 2009 squad that went 33-5 overall and finished second in the MIAA with a 16-4 mark. Washburn finished the 2009 campaign ranked eighth in the final AVCA poll.

2010 MIAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Missouri (10) – 100 pts.
2. Washburn (1) – 91 pts.
3. Emporia State – 80 pts.
4. Pittsburg State – 69 pts.
5. Truman – 64 pts.
6. Nebraska-Omaha – 59 pts.
7. Missouri Southern – 44 pts.
8. Northwest Missouri – 41 pts.
9. Southwest Baptist – 23 pts.
10. Missouri Western – 21 pts.
11. Fort Hays State – 13 pts.