KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Coming off back-to-back 20-win seasons, the Missouri Western women’s basketball team was picked sixth in the MIAA Preseason Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll.

The Griffons received 106 total points, just four behind Fort Hays State for fifth in the poll. Central Missouri was picked first with 158 points and seven first place votes. 2016-17 MIAA regular season champions Pittsburg State was just behind the Jennies with 157 points and four first place votes. Emporia State was picked third and Central Oklahoma fourth with one first place vote.

MIAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Missouri (7) – 158 points
2. Pittsburg State (4) – 157 points
3. Emporia State (2) – 150 points
4. Central Oklahoma (1) – 138 points
5. Fort Hays State – 110 points
6. Missouri Western – 106 points
7. Lindenwood – 96 point
8. Washburn – 88 points
9. Southwest Baptist – 78 points
10. Nebraska Kearney – 62 points
11. Missouri Southern – 49 points
12. Northwest Missouri – 43 points
13. Northeastern State – 21 points
14. Lincoln – 18 points

Missouri Western finished in a tie for fourth in the final regular season standings a year ago, going 21-8 overall and 13-6 in MIAA play. The 2017-18 Griffons will feature a host of new faces. Three letter winners from last year’s team return with nine newcomers to Rob Edmisson’s sixth MWSU team.

Erin Anderson is the team’s top returning point scorer, averaging 6.5 points per game last season. Savannah Lentz averaged 6.1 points per game last year and Melia Richardson returns after averaging 5.8 points per game in 2016-17.

The season begins Friday, Nov. 10 when the team travels to Fayette, Iowa to take on Southwest Minnesota State and Upper Iowa in the MIAA/NSIC Tournament hosted by Upper Iowa. The first home game this season is Wednesday, Nov. 15 against William Jewell.

— MWSU Athletics —