KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team heads into the 2025 season ranked eighth in this year's MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, announced Friday (Aug. 22) by the league office.
 
The Tigers accumulated 45 points in the balloting process, two in front of ninth-ranked Pittsburg State. FHSU finished eighth in the MIAA's KPI standings last season at 12-14 overall, earning the final spot in the 2024 MIAA Championship Tournament.
 
Nebraska-Kearney, last year's regular season champions, are listed first with nine first-place votes and 119 points overall, with 2024 tournament champion Central Oklahoma slotted second with the remaining three first-place votes and 111 total points.
 
Head coach Jessica Wood-Atkins enters her eighth year at Fort Hays State with a veteran roster that includes 14 returners and five newcomers. The squad is made up of five seniors, two juniors, eight sophomores and four freshmen.
 
The Tigers return a pair of All-MIAA performers in two-time selection Gracie Rains, who earned second team status last year at outside hitter, and setter Caiya Stucky Reyes, who was an honorable mention pick in 2024.
 
Fort Hays State will open the season at home on Friday, September 5 when they host the first of two weekend tournaments. FHSU will play a pair of matches on September 5 and 6 and again on September 11 and 12 before opening league play at home on Friday, September 26 against Missouri Southern. The Tigers will play a total of 17 matches at home in 2025.
 
2025 MIAA VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Nebraska Kearney [9] – 119 points
2. Central Oklahoma [3] – 111 points
3. Washburn – 98 points
4. Missouri Western – 96 points
5. Central Missouri – 73 points
T6. Emporia State – 69 points
T6. Northwest Missouri – 69 points
8. Fort Hays State – 45 points
9. Pittsburg State – 43 points
10. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 35 points
11. Missouri Southern – 23 points
12. Newman – 12 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes