KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Central Oklahoma was picked second in the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll announced Thursday with the Bronchos receiving two first-place votes in the poll of 10 league head coaches.
Defending regular season champion Washburn was the top pick and received six first-place votes. Nebraska Kearney also received one first-place vote and is third in the poll followed by Northwest Missouri and Missouri Western. Emporia State, Northeastern State, Arkansas Fort Smith, Newman and Fort Hays State are fifth through 10th.
Central Oklahoma opens the 2026 season Feb. 5 in Edmond against No. 18 UT Tyler. The Bronchos will also play Southwest Baptist in a non-conference match against the former MIAA program on Feb. 6 in Edmond.
UCO has 11 non-conference matches scheduled before beginning the nine-game MIAA slate March 24 at Newman. Central hosts Emporia, No. 13 Washburn, NSU and UAFS. The Bronchos travel to Newman, Northwest Missouri and Missouri Western, as well as Fort Hays and Kearney.
The MIAA Women's Tennis Championship is scheduled for May 1-3 in Springfield, Missouri. The Bronchos finished fourth last season before winning the league's postseason tournament to advance to the national tournament.
