Press Release

Oct. 24, 2012

Northwest picked 14th in preseason polls

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After a disappointing season a year ago, the Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team was picked to finish near the bottom of the league in both the MIAA Coaches Poll and Media Poll released by the conference Wednesday.

The Bearcats finished 6-22 overall and 4-16 in league play and were tabbed 14th in both polls. Northwest returns four seniors, Ashley Thayer, Alexis Boeh, Emily Hauder and Victoria Naylor for the upcoming season – Naylor, a transfer from Towson, was forced to sit last season due to NCAA transfer rules.

First-year Head Coach Mark Kellogg also welcomes back a wealth of experience from a sophomore class that saw five players see valuable playing time. Kellogg also added two junior college transfers and three talented freshmen to his roster.

Defending MIAA Champion Washburn was picked to win the league in both polls receiving eight first place votes in the two polls. Pittsburg State was tabbed second after winning the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament a year ago, receiving six first place votes in the Coaches Poll and eight first place votes in the Media Poll. The Gorillas are followed by Emporia State who received one first place vote in the Coaches Poll and two first place votes in the Media Poll.

MIAA newcomer, Northeastern State was picked fourth followed by Fort Hays State to complete an identical top five in both Coaches Poll and Media Poll.

Of the 15 schools in the new-look MIAA, only Nebraska-Kearney was picked behind the Bearcats at No. 15 in both the Coaches Poll and the Media Poll.

Northwest opens its season Nov. 1 in exhibition action at Iowa State before tipping off the regular season on Nov. 9 at Bearcat Arena. The Bearcats host Quincy in the regular season opener.

2012-13 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Washburn (8)              189
2. Pittsburg State (6)       178
3. Emporia State (1)        171
4. Northeastern State      154
5. Fort Hays State            139
6. Central Missouri           135
7. Truman                         112
8. Central Oklahoma        110
T9. Lincoln                          65
T9. Missouri Southern        65
11. Missouri Western          64
T12. Lindenwood                62
T12. Southwest Baptist       62
14. Northwest Missouri        51
15. Nebraska-Kearney        18
 
2012-13 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Washburn (8)                257
2. Pittsburg State (8)         254
3. Emporia State (2)         235
4. Northeastern State       204
5. Fort Hays State            193
6. Central Missouri           183
7. Central Oklahoma        156
8. Truman                        152
9. Lindenwood                 117
10. Southwest Baptist       93
11. Lincoln                         87
12. Missouri Western        69
13. Missouri Southern      65
14. Northwest Missouri    60
15. Nebraska-Kearney    35