Aug. 5, 2002

MIAA Coaches Pick Truman Volleyball to Win MIAA; Football Team Picked to Tie for Fourth

The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Coaches' Preseason polls were announced today and had the Truman volleyball team picked to win the MIAA crown in 2002. Nine coaches voted on the preseason poll, but could not vote for their own team.

The Bulldogs received five first-place votes to Central Missouri's four first-place votes.

Last year, the 'Dogs became just the second team, other than CMSU, to win an MIAA title in the last 19 years that the conference has sponsored volleyball.

Truman advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2001, posting a 37-2 record and a perfect t 16-0 mark in the MIAA.

MIAA Coaches Preseason Volleyball Poll
1.	Truman (5)	61
2.	Central Missouri (4)	60
3.	Pittsburg State	45
4.	Missouri Southern	37
5.	Emporia State	35
6.	Missouri Western	33
7.	Washburn	28
8.	Southwest Baptist	13
9.	Northwest Missouri	12

Points awarded on a 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. Coaches may not vote for their school. First-place votes in parenthesis.

The MIAA coaches' had the Truman football team picked to finish tied for fourth in 2002. Ten football coaches voted on the preseason poll, with defending MIAA champion Pittsburg State receiving eight first-place votes.

Last year, the Buldogs tied for third in the MIAA with a 6-3 mark, and were 8-3 overall. The 'Dogs were picked to finish fifth by the coaches prior to last season.

MIAA Coaches Preseason Football Poll
 1.	Pittsburg State (8)	80
 2.	Central Missouri (1)	69
	Northwest Missouri (1)	69
 4.	Missouri Western	53
	Truman	53
 6.	Emporia State	37
 7.	Southwest Baptist	33
 8.	Missouri Southern	29
 9.	Washburn	18
10.	Missouri-Rolla	9

Points awarded on a 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. Coaches may not vote for their school. First-place votes in parenthesis.