KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Northeastern State softball team is selected to finish sixth in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) according to the league's preseason poll that was released on Wednesday.
 
Voting was conducted by the MIAA head coaches with the RiverHawks picking up 111 points, their highest total since the 2014 season.
 
The RiverHawks are coming off a season where they finished tied for fifth with a 15-11 MIAA record and went 30-26 overall under head coach Clay Davis who is entering his seventh season.
 
Washburn picked up 11 of the 14 first place votes and 162 points as the preseason pick to win this year's conference title.  Central Oklahoma is tabbed second with two first place votes and 151 points.  Central Missouri rounded out the top three with 141 points.
 
Northeastern State will open the season on Feb. 1 in Arkadelphia, Ark.
 
MIAA Preseason Softball Coaches Poll

1. Washburn (11) - 162 points
2. Central Oklahoma (2) - 151 points
3. Central Missouri - 141 points
4. Northwest Missouri - 133 points
5. Missouri Western - 113 points
6. Northeastern State - 111 points
7. Lindenwood - 103 points
8. Emporia State (1) - 93 points
9. Pittsburg State - 65 points
10. Missouri Southern - 58 points
11. Nebraska Kearney - 57 points
12. Fort Hays State - 46 points
13. Southwest Baptist - 28 points
14. Lincoln - 13 points

*Coaches cannot vote for their own team