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

October 6, 2026 - The MIAA released their 2026-27 Women's Basketball Preseason Polls, and the Lady Hornets were picked ninth by the media and tenth by the coaches.

The Lady Hornets went 15-15 last season in year one under head coach MJ Baker, with an 8-11 mark in the MIAA. Vanessa Coleman is the leading returning scorer for Emporia State, as she averaged 7.5 points per game in her freshman season. Micah Hannah also returns after averaging 4.7 points and 4.0 rebounds.

Emporia State will open the season in Arkadelphia, Ark. as they take on Ouachita Baptist on Thursday, November 12 followed by Henderson State on Friday, November 13. The home opener for the Lady Hornets will be on Tuesday, November 17 as they take on Angelo State. MIAA action will begin on December 3 as they travel to Joplin, Mo. to take on Missouri Southern.

Central Missouri topped both polls, with Fort Hays State and Missouri Southern in the two and three spots. In the coaches poll, Northwest Missouri was slated fourth while Washburn took the fourth spot in the media poll.

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 – 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 – 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