Women's Basketball 10/6/2026 9:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Central Tabbed 11th In MIAA Basketball Polls

Bronchos Open Season Nov. 9 In Edmond

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Central Oklahoma was picked 11th in both the MIAA Preseason Basketball Coaches' Poll and the Media Poll, the league announced Tuesday.

Central Oklahoma is in Kansas City for MIAA Basketball Media Day presented by Seigfried Bingham ahead of the 2026-27 season.

"There's a lot of excitement with a new season," UCO head women's basketball coach Hannah Moeller said. "We are glad to be back. We've been working all offseason and now that practices are here, we're getting closer to getting back out there, we're excited about it."

Defending MIAA regular season champion Central Missouri was picked first in the poll of 14 league head coaches and received 10 first-place votes. Fort Hays State and Missouri Southern were picked second and third respectively and both received one first-place vote. Northwest Missouri was fourth to follow. Washburn, which won the MIAA postseason tournament, was picked fifth and received one first-place vote.

Pittsburg State was sixth, Missouri Western was seventh – and received one first-place vote. Nebraska Kearney, Northeastern State, and Emporia State were 8-10 in front of UCO.

The Media poll has it close to the same. Central Missouri was picked first followed by Fort Hays State and Missouri Southern. Washburn, Pitt, and Northwest followed at 4-6. Missouri Western, NSU, Emporia, and Kearney were 7-10 in front of the Bronchos.

Rogers State, Arkansas Fort Smith, and Newman were picked 12-14 behind the Bronchos in both polls.

Central Oklahoma went 10-18 last season with a 5-14 record in the MIAA. The Bronchos finished tied for 12th in the final standings.

UCO opens the new season next month. Monday was the first day of practice and the Bronchos tipoff Nov. 9 at Hamilton Field House against Southwestern Christian.

This season's roster has six players back from 2025-26, including four starters. Kaitlyn McCarn started all 28 games last season, Bobbie Fouquet started in 26 of 27 games played, Peyton Walker started 25 of 27 games played, and Jerney Bennett started in 23 games and also played in all 28 games for the Bronchos.

Bennett earned a spot on the MIAA All-Defensive Team after setting the UCO single season record with 109 blocked shots.

Nykaiya Dillard was UCO's leading scorer last season coming off the bench. The sophomore averaged 11.5 points and led the team with 1.8 steals per game.

McCarn averaged 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season. Fouquet averaged 9.1 points and 5.9 rebounds. Bennett averaged 8.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks per game.

Walker has played in 55 games over the past two seasons at UCO, making 50 starts at point guard. She averages 3.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game in the first two seasons.

The Bronchos also return Parker Simonsen, who has played in 29 games over the past two seasons.

Moeller begins her second season leading Central Oklahoma. She took over in 2025-26 and is working to turn around the program that has missed three straight MIAA Basketball Championship appearances. Moeller has 317 career victories in 14 seasons as a head coach.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#2 Jerney Bennett: F; 6' 1"; Junior

#22 Nykaiya Dillard: G; 5' 5"; Sophomore

#3 Bobbie Fouquet: F; 6' 0"; Senior

#5 Kaitlyn McCarn: G; 5' 8"; Junior

#15 Parker Simonsen: G; 5' 7"; Junior

#10 Peyton Walker: G; 5' 4"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#2 Jerney Bennett
: 6' 1"; Junior
: F

#22 Nykaiya Dillard
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: G

#3 Bobbie Fouquet
: 6' 0"; Senior
: F

#5 Kaitlyn McCarn
: 5' 8"; Junior
: G

#15 Parker Simonsen
: 5' 7"; Junior
: G

#10 Peyton Walker
: 5' 4"; Junior
: G