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Central Missouri Clinches MIAA Volleyball Title
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Central Missouri defeated Nebraska-Omaha on the road in five sets Friday night to clinch the 2009 MIAA Volleyball Championship outright. The Jennies finish the regular season with an 18-2 record in MIAA play and 32-4 overall.
Central Missouri now has 20 conference titles in 28 years of MIAA competition. It is the first league crown for the Jennies since 2000, and the first outright since 1999.
Washburn defeated Emporia State, 3-1, in the Turnpike Tussle Friday night to guarantee the Lady Blues at least a tie for second place in the conference. Washburn is now 16-4 in the MIAA (32-4 overall) while Emporia State is 15-4 (28-5). If the Hornets win at Fort Hays State Saturday, there will be a tie for second in the league. If Fort Hays State wins, Washburn will finish second alone with Emporia State third.
Coming into this week, Central Missouri was ranked No. 1 in the South Central Region, and that doesn't look to change after the Jennies won their only match of the week. Central will likely host the regional tournament as the No. 1 seed. In the latest regional rankings, Emporia State was No. 2, Washburn No. 3, Pittsburg State No. 5, Truman No. 6 and Nebraska-Omaha No. 7. With the top eight in each region qualifying for the NCAA Tournament, the MIAA should be well represented.
The NCAA Tournament bids will be announced Sunday, Nov. 15, on NCAA.com. The tournament will begin Thursday, Nov. 19.
