KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Rogers State softball was tabbed to finish third in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, the league announced on Friday.
 
After falling to Central Missouri in the MIAA Tournament Championship last season, the Hillcats were picked to finish third in 2022 with 142 points. RSU is also receiving votes in the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association Preseason Top 25 poll.
 
The Defending MIAA Champions Central Oklahoma were picked to repeat for the third season in a row with 162 points and eight first place votes. Central Missouri (six first place votes, 158 points, RSU, Missouri Southern (124 points) and Missouri Western (118 points) rounded out the top five.
 
Washburn (117 points), Northeastern State (86 points), Fort Hays State (85 points), Emporia State (73 points) and Pittsburg State (64 points) closed out the top 10. The remainder of the poll featured Northwest Missouri (58 points), Nebraska-Kearney (47 points), Newman (25 points) and Lincoln (15 points).
 
The Hillcats are set to begin the 2022 campaign on the road in Conroe, Texas as they open the Houston Classic on Friday, Feb. 4 with a matchup against Texas A&M International at 11 a.m.