KANSAS CITY, Mo. – RiverHawks tennis is picked to finish fourth by the MIAA coaches.

Northeastern State garnered 44 points in the preseason poll released Friday. Central Oklahoma is an early preseason pick to claim this year's MIAA title with seven first-place votes and 63 points. Northwest Missouri was second with 50 points and Washburn narrowly edged out Northeastern State by two points for the third spot.

The RiverHawks return five letterwinners from last year's squad and are led by first-year head coach Tim McLane.

The first serve of the spring is scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb. 15 when it hosts John Brown at the NSU Tennis Complex.

MIAA Women's Tennis Coaches Poll
1. Central Oklahoma (7) – 63 points
2. Northwest Missouri – 50 points
3. Washburn (2) – 46 points
4. Northeastern State – 44 points
5. Missouri Western – 38 points
6. Nebraska-Kearney – 34 points
7. Emporia State – 22 points
8. Newman – 19 points
9. Fort Hays State – 8 points