The Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball team has been selected to finish fourth by the MIAA coaches in the league's annual preseason poll.

Head coach Austin Meyer is entering his ninth season at the helm of the Bearcat program. Meyer and the Bearcats have produced 15 or more wins in each of the last five seasons. Northwest finished fifth last season in the final MIAA standings. Northwest returns 94.7% of its scoring from a season ago, led by double-digit scorers Bailey Birmingham (12.2 ppg) and Andrea Lopreato (10.4 ppg). Sadie Maas returns as the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year. Maas led the Bearcats in rebounding (8.4 rpg) and blocked shots (73).

Northwest will play a home exhibition game Oct. 27 vs. Doane at 6 p.m. The Bearcats regular season opener is at home Nov. 9 against the Lincoln Blue Tigers at 5:30 p.m.

WOMEN'S PRESEASON COACHES POLL:
1. Central Missouri [10] – 163 points
2. Fort Hays State [1] – 147 points
3. Missouri Southern [1] – 143 points
4. Northwest Missouri State – 120 points
5. Washburn [1] – 113 points
6. Pittsburg State – 108 points
7. Missouri Western [1] – 107 points
8. Nebraska Kearney – 93 points
9. Northeastern State – 91 points
10. Emporia State – 56 points
11. Central Oklahoma – 53 points
12. Rogers State – 35 points
13. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 28 points
14. Newman – 17 points
[#] - First Place Votes

WOMEN'S PRESEASON MEDIA POLL:
1. Central Missouri [16] – 372 points
2. Fort Hays State [13] – 355 points
3. Missouri Southern – 325 points
4. Washburn [1] – 298 points
5. Pittsburg State – 281 points
6. Northwest Missouri State – 245 points
7. Missouri Western – 204 points
8. Northeastern State – 201 points
9. Emporia State – 171 points
10. Nebraska Kearney – 149 points
11. Central Oklahoma – 122 points
12. Rogers State – 109 points
13. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 75 points
14. Newman – 33 points
[#] - First Place Votes