The Central Missouri Jennies volleyball program was ranked No. 2 in the AVCA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll released today. The Jennies were No. 3 in the final poll last year, after reaching the NCAA national semifinals.
Central Missouri received 735 points, trailing only Concordia-St. Paul, who earned all 32 first-place votes and tallied 800 points. Cal State San Bernardino came in third, while the University of Tampa, who defeated the Jennies in that semifinal match, were fourth.
Three MIAA teams earned spots in the poll, with Washburn coming in fifth, Emporia State at No. 18 and Truman at No. 20.
The Jennies open the 2011 season at the Concordia-St. Paul invitational, where they will face four nationally-ranked teams in two days. On Friday, September 2nd, Central Missouri will face off against No. 9 Wayne State (Neb.) and No. 1 Concordia-St. Paul. The following day UCM goes up against No. 25 Northern Michigan and No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State. For the complete poll, go to AVCA.org.