KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) unveiled its 2026 Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll on Friday morning, and the No. 18 Hillcats were picked to finish fourth.
  
Rogers State, which finished third in the 2025 regular-season rankings, collected 111 points and a first-place vote in the poll, ahead of Central Missouri (101 points) and Washburn (96 points). Pittsburg State was picked to win the league with 141 points and 10 first-place votes. They were followed by defending regular-season champs No. 11 Central Oklahoma (125 points, 1 first-place vote) and Missouri Southern (116 points, 1 first-place vote).

RSU aims to build on its 39-15 record (16-8 MIAA) from 2025, which featured a runner-up finish at the MIAA Tournament and its fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Since joining the league in 2020, they have won one regular-season title and two conference tournament championships. The 2020 season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving both championships vacant.
 
The 2026 season is scheduled to open from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 at the Gulf Shores Invitational in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The home opener will take place the following weekend during the inaugural Rogers State Festival at the RCB Sports Complex.
 
2026 MIAA SOFTBALL PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Pittsburg State [10] – 141 points
2. Central Oklahoma [1] – 125 points
3. Missouri Southern [1] – 116 points
4. Rogers State [1] – 111 points
5. Central Missouri – 101 points
6. Washburn – 96 points
7. Missouri Western – 84 points
8. Emporia State – 65 points
9. Northwest Missouri – 49 points
10. Fort Hays State – 45 points
11. Nebraska Kearney – 43 points
12. Northeastern State – 26 points
13. Newman – 12 points