KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The SBU volleyball Bearcats are expected to finish the 2010 season ninth in the MIAA, according to this year's MIAA preseason coaches poll. The ranking matches where the Bearcats finished in the conference last season, as well as where they were slotted in last year's preseason poll. Defending champion and 2009 regional runner-up Central Missouri was a unanimous top choice.

The Jennies received 10 of 11 first-place votes (coaches were not able to vote for their own school) and 100 points to earn the top spot. Washburn, which received the remaining first-place vote, received 91 points to take the preseason No. 2 slot.
 
Emporia State comes in at No. 3 after accumulating 80 points, followed by Pittsburg State at No. 4 with 69 points, Truman at No. 5 with 64 points and Nebraska-Omaha at No. 6 with 59 points. UCM, WU, ESU, PSU, TSU and UNO all earned berths in the NCAA South Central Regional last season.
 
Missouri Southern was voted preseason No. 7 with 44 points, Northwest Missouri is No. 8 with 41 points, Southwest Baptist was selected No. 9 with 23 points, Missouri Western is No. 10 with 21 points, and Fort Hays State was voted No. 11 with 13 points.

The 2010 volleyball season is set to begin Friday, Sept. 3, with several non-conference tournaments. SBU will travel to Lakeland, Florida for the Florida Southern Classic. On September 3, the Bearcats will take on Montevallo at 2 pm EDT and Florida Southern at 7 pm EDT.

2010 MIAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Missouri (10) – 100 pts.
2. Washburn (1) – 91 pts.
3. Emporia State – 80 pts.
4. Pittsburg State – 69 pts.
5. Truman – 64 pts.
6. Nebraska-Omaha – 59 pts.
7. Missouri Southern – 44 pts.
8. Northwest Missouri – 41 pts.
9. Southwest Baptist – 23 pts.
10. Missouri Western – 21 pts.
11. Fort Hays State – 13 pts.