KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Central Missouri Jennies softball team was selected fifth in the 2026 MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll announced on Friday, Jan. 23, by the conference office.

The Jens return 12 players from last season including All-MIAA honorees Taylor Thompson (First Team), Brooke Weimer (First Team), Jadyn Sheffield (Gold Glove Second Base), and Bailey Brumley (Honorable Mention), while adding newcomers Cydney Fullerton, Jenna Little, Malia Bucksath, Kyrsten Moran, Bailey Ast, Madelyn Ducheneaux, Karman Rowe, Taylor Kvale, and Riley Bebb.
 
Central Missouri begins the 2026 campaign on Friday, Jan. 30, with a pair of games during the opening day of the Lonestar DII College Classic against Midwestern State (2:30 p.m.) and St. Edward's (4:45 p.m.) in Mansfield, Texas.
 
2026 MIAA SOFTBALL PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Pittsburg State [10] – 141 points
2. Central Oklahoma [1] – 125 points
3. Missouri Southern [1] – 116 points
4. Rogers State [1] – 111 points
5. Central Missouri – 101 points
6. Washburn – 96 points
7. Missouri Western – 84 points
8. Emporia State – 65 points
9. Northwest Missouri – 49 points
10. Fort Hays State – 45 points
11. Nebraska Kearney – 43 points
12. Northeastern State – 26 points
13. Newman – 12 points 
[#] - First Place Votes