KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Aug. 26) -- Central Oklahoma has been tabbed for a fourth-place finish in the 2019 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association volleyball race, according to the coaches poll released by the league office Monday.

The Bronchos of eighth-year head coach Edgar Miraku finished with 71 points in balloting of the 11 head coaches. Washburn -- which captured the Central Region title last year en route to advancing to the NCAA Division II Final Four -- earned the favorite's tag, receiving seven first-place votes and 96 points.

Defending MIAA regular season and tournament champion Nebraska-Kearney was second in the poll with two first-place votes and 90 points, while Central Missouri received the remaining two first-place nods and was third with 83 points. 

UCO tied for third in last year's conference race and has 10 players back from that 27-7 squad. The Bronchos were ranked 22nd in the preseason Division II national poll, with Washburn (fourth), UNK (11th) and UCM (17th) also in the top 25.

Central opens the season Sept. 6-7 with four matches at the Eckerd Invitational in St. Petersburg, Fla.

2019 MIAA Preseason Volleyball Coaches Poll
1. Washburn - 96 points
2. Nebraska-Kearney - 90 points
3. Central Missouri - 83 points
4. Central Oklahoma - 71 points
5. Northwest Missouri - 67 points
6. Missouri Western - 54 points
7. Pittsburg State - 40 points
8. Emporia State - 35 points
9. Missouri Southern - 33 points
10. Fort Hays State - 25 points
11. Newman - 11 points

Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team