LILBURN, Ga. (Oct. 31, 2019) - The Women's Basketball Coaches Association released their preseason coaches poll for the upcoming 2019-20 season. Central Missouri will start the season ranked 11th nationally.

The Jennies went 25-7 last season making the NCAA Regional Championship for the third straight season. They finished second in the MIAA with a 15-4 conference mark and advanced to the conference tournament finals. 

UCM brings back All-MIAA performers Morgan Fleming and Megan Skaggs as well as Kim Crown and Morgan VanHyfte who each saw time in the starting lineup last season. They've added the NJCAA Division II Player of the Year and National Champion Nija Collier along with Division I transfers Ellisha Davis (Bradley) and Ryann Stearns (Texas-San Antonio). 

The Jennies are one of two MIAA teams in the top-25 and received one first-place vote. Fort Hays State ranks seventh. Emporia State is also receiving votes.

The top-team in the poll is in-state rival Drury. They received eight of 23 first-place votes to narrowly edge out defending champions and No. 2 Lubbock Christian. Grand Valley State, Azusa Pacific and Virginia Union round out the top-five.

Central Missouri starts the season next week, Nov. 8-9 in Aberdeen, SD against Minnesota State-Moorhead and Northern State. Their season opener will be a top-25 battle as MSU-Moorhead is ranked 18th.