KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Western women’s basketball team is picked fifth in the 2016-17 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Griffons are defending MIAA Regular Season Champions, setting an MIAA record with 20 conference wins one season ago. This year’s team will feature four new starters, but returns eight Griffons from last year’s team which advanced to the NCAA Central Regional.

2016 MIAA Tournament Champion Emporia State was picked first with 2016 Central Regional Champion Pittsburg State second and receiving two first place votes. Washburn and Fort Hays State rounded out the top-four, respectively.

2016-17 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Emporia State (12) – 168
2. Pittsburg State (2) – 156
3. Washburn – 132
4. Fort Hays State – 127
5. Missouri Western – 124
6. Central Oklahoma – 96
7. Nebraska-Kearney – 95
8. Central Missouri – 89
9. Missouri Southern – 83
10. Southwest Baptist – 75
11. Northeastern State – 43
12. Lindenwood – 40
13. Northwest Missouri – 31
14. Lincoln – 15

Rob Edmisson enters his fifth year as head coach of the Griffons. He led the team to the postseason in three of his first four years, including last year’s NCAA regional berth, a first for the program since 2004. It was also the program’s first MIAA Championship since 2002 and the most wins in program history (27-4).

The Griffons open the regular season Nov. 11 when they host the Drury Inn Tip-Off Tournament. Missouri Western will play host to Southwest Minnesota State in the opener.

— MWSU Athletics —