KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The reigning MIAA Tournament champion Washburn Ichabod volleyball landed fourth in the 2023 MIAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference office released Friday morning.
The Ichabods finished the 2022 regular season fifth in the conference with a 13-7 record before reeling off three straight upset victories to claim the first conference tournament championship in program history. The Ichabods had a 24-8 record overall and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Central Region Championships.
In this year's preseason poll, Nebraska-Kearney was voted the favorite and collected 92 points with four first place votes. Northwest Missouri, last seasons regular-season first place finisher, was picked second with 88 points while earning three first place votes. Central Oklahoma landed third with two first place votes and 80 points while Washburn got the final two first place votes and totaled 77 points.
Central Missouri was picked just behind the Ichabods, followed by Missouri Western and Missouri Southern. Fort Hays State, Emporia State and Newman rounded out the rankings respectively.
Washburn will kick off its 22nd season under head coach Chris Herron with three matches on the east coast at the Florida Southern Tournament beginning with matches against Flagler College and Grand Valley State on Sep. 1.
2023 MIAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll:
- Nebraska-Kearney (4) - 92 points
- Northwest Missouri (3) - 88 points
- Central Oklahoma (2) - 80 points
- Washburn (2) - 77 points
- Central Missouri – 73 points
- Pittsburg State – 52 points
- Missouri Western – 45 points
- Missouri Southern – 35 points
- Fort Hays State – 29 points
- Emporia State – 19 points
- Newman – 14 points
