KANSAS CITY, Mo. – University of Central Missouri Jennies basketball has been voted the preseason favorite in both the 2023 MIAA Coaches' and Media Preseason Women's Basketball Polls released by the conference office Tuesday morning, Oct. 10, at MIAA Basketball Media Day at the College Basketball Experience in downtown Kansas City.

The Jennies received 11 first place votes and tallied 167 points in the coaches' poll and 14 first place votes and 283 points in the media poll.

UCM finished the 2022-23 season with an overall record of 25-5 and a MIAA mark of 19-3, placing second in the final conference standings. Central Missouri advanced to the NCAA-II Central Regional Tournament in Duluth, Minn., before falling in the first round to Minnesota State.

The Jennies return four of five starters from last season's team, including defending MIAA Player of the Year and WBCA Coaches All-American Brooke Littrell and All-MIAA Defensive Team selection Olivia Nelson.

Both polls agreed on the top four teams, with Central Missouri in the top spot, Missouri Western at number two, Pittsburg State at number three and Fort Hays State at number four.

Reigning MIAA Tournament Champion Missouri Southern rounded out the top five in the coaches' poll while defending MIAA Regular Season Champion Nebraska Kearney secured the five spot in the media poll.

The Jennies are scheduled to tip-off the 2023-24 season Nov. 10-11 at the MIAA/NSIC Regional Challenge in Claremore, Okla.

2023 MIAA Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Central Missouri [11] – 167 points
2. Missouri Western [2] – 153 points
3. Pittsburg State – 147 points
4. Fort Hays State – 131 points 
5. Missouri Southern – 116 points
6. Nebraska Kearney – 111 points
7. Northwest Missouri – 100 points 
8. Washburn – 76 points
T9. Central Oklahoma – 72 points
T9. Emporia State – 72 points
11. Northeastern State – 45 points
12. Lincoln – 41 points
13. Rogers State – 25 points
14. Newman – 18 points 

2023 MIAA Women's Basketball Preseason Media Poll
1. Central Missouri [14] – 283 points
2. Missouri Western [3] – 266 points
3. Pittsburg State [1] – 245 points
4. Fort Hays State – 219 points
5. Nebraska Kearney [3] – 218 points
6. Northwest Missouri – 191 points
7. Missouri Southern – 186 points
8. Emporia State – 149 points
9. Central Oklahoma – 132 points
10. Washburn – 114 points
11. Newman – 71 points
12. Lincoln – 62 points
13. Northeastern State – 53 points
14. Rogers State – 31 points 

Note: First-place votes in brackets [ ] in both polls.