Haley Thompson, from Nixa, will be one of the leaders for the Jennies (photo/Central Missouri Athletics)

Haley Thompson, from Nixa, will be one of the leaders for the Jennies (photo/Central Missouri Athletics)

Central Missouri volleyball is picked to finish, right where they left off, atop the MIAA. In the conference preseason coaches poll, announced Thursday morning, the Jennies received 119 points and nine of a possible 11 first-place votes as they were selected to finish in first place in the upcoming MIAA regular season.

UCM concluded 2014 tied for first place, their 24th MIAA championship and fifth in the last six seasons. They earned their 32nd straight trip to the NCAA Tournament and ranked 20th in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Poll.

The Jennies bring back all three All-Americans from last year in seniors Annie Reilly and Carly Sojka and junior Haley Thompson. The squad will also return 11 letter-winners from 2014, including five of six starters plus the starting libero.

Central Missouri’s season begins right here in Warrensburg, Sept. 3-5, for the Peggy Martin Challenge. The Jens will face five teams in three days, starting with Western State Sept. 3 at 3 p.m. UCM will get their first taste of conference play Sept. 25 as they travel to Edmond, Okla. to face Central Oklahoma.

The two remaining first-place votes went to Washburn and Nebraska-Kearney. Washburn came in second in the preseason poll with 108 votes, while Nebraska-Kearney, who tied the Jennies for tops in the conference in 2014, came in third with 98 points. Central Oklahoma (98 points) and Missouri Western (84) round out the top five.

2015 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll:
1. Central Missouri (9 first-place votes)    119 Points
2. Washburn (2)                                         108
3. Nebraska-Kearney (1)                             98
4. Central Oklahoma                                  95
5. Missouri Western                                   84
6. Northwest Missouri                                66
7. Emporia State                                       64
8. Fort Hays State                                     46
9. Pittsburg State                                      39
10. Southwest Baptist                               27
11. Missouri Southern                               25
12. Lindenwood                                        21