KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Western women’s basketball team has been picked fifth in the preseason MIAA coaches poll.

Last season, Rob Edmisson’s team went 15-12 overall and 9-10 in the MIAA, finishing seventh and advancing to the second round of the MIAA Tournament before losing to Emporia State. This year’s team features four returning starters, including leading scorer and first team All-MIAA guard LaQuinta Jefferson. In her junior season, Jefferson averaged 20.2 points per game on 49% field goal shooting. 2014-15 honorable mention All-MIAA pick Sarafina Handy is also back this year after averaging 13 points per game and leading the Griffons with 42 percent three-point shooting. Last year’s leading rebounder, Tiara Hall played out her eligibility, but Mhykeah Baez was just 13 rebound behind Hall and returns for 2015-16.

Edmisson begins his fourth season at MWSU on Nov. 13 when the team travels to Marshall, Minnesota for the Southwest Minnesota State University Applebee’s Classic. After the opening weekend in Minnesota, it’s back home for three-straight, including two games in the MWSU Holiday Inn Express Classic. The Griffons make their home debut on Nov. 19 against Minnesota State-Mankato.

2015-16 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Emporia State (13) – 169
2. Fort Hays State (1) – 147
3. Central Missouri – 135
4. Pittsburg State – 128
5. Missouri Western – 124
6. Washburn – 103
7. Central Oklahoma – 102
8. Missouri Southern – 99
9. Lindenwood – 58
10. Northeastern State – 57
11. Lincoln – 53
12. Nebraska-Kearney – 38
13. Northwest Missouri – 35
14. Southwest Baptist – 26

— MWSU Athletics —