Bronchos Picked Third in MIAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll

Central Oklahoma Begins 2023 Season Sept. 1 In Texas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Central Oklahoma has been tabbed for a third-place finish in the ultra-tough Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association volleyball preseason coaches' poll for 2023 that was released Friday by the league office.

The Bronchos of 12th-year head coach Edgar Miraku earned two first-place votes and finished with 80 points in balloting of the conference's 11 head coaches. Nebraska-Kearney earned the favorite's tag with four first-place votes and 92 points, coming in four points head of defending champion Northwest Missouri. Washburn was fourth in the voting, followed by Central Missouri, Pittsburg State, Missouri Western, Missouri Southern, Fort Hays State, Emporia State and Newman.

"We have high hopes for the season and are excited to get started," said Miraku, who has a stellar 243-85 record at the helm. "This conference is so tough. Every match will be a challenge and we'll have to be ready for that."

UCO has all six starters plus four other letterwinners back from last year's 24-7 squad that tied for third in the final league standings, including five All-MIAA performers in Jaedynn Evans, Sydney Huck, Jenna Karp, Lindsey Houran and Mallorie Koehn.

The Bronchos will host a nine-team scrimmage Aug. 26 at Hamilton Field House, then open the 2023 campaign Sept. 1-2 at the Midwestern State Invitational in Wichita Falls, Texas. UCO opens conference play Sept. 14 at home against Newman.

2023 MIAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First-place votes in parenthesis)
1. Nebraska Kearney (4), 92 points
2. Northwest Missouri (3), 88
3. Central Oklahoma (2), 80
4. Washburn (2), 77
5. Central Missouri, 73
6. Pittsburg State, 53
7. Missouri Western, 45
8. Missouri Southern, 35
9. Fort Hays State, 29
10. Emporia State, 19
11. Newman, 14

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#6 Jaedynn Evans: DS/L; 5' 7"; Junior

#1 Lindsey Houran: S; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#14 Sydney Huck: OH; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#7 Jenna Karp: MB; 6' 0"; Junior

#4 Mallorie Koehn: OH; 5' 11"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#6 Jaedynn Evans
: 5' 7"; Junior
: DS/L

#1 Lindsey Houran
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: S

#14 Sydney Huck
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: OH

#7 Jenna Karp
: 6' 0"; Junior
: MB

#4 Mallorie Koehn
: 5' 11"; Junior
: OH