The Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri State women’s teams both struggled last season.

And the MIAA coaches’ poll reflected that. The coaches picked the Bearcats at ninth out of 11 teams. The Griffons stood at 10th.

The top two spots went to Emporia State and then Washburn. Pittsburg State rounded out the top three.

Emporia returns three starters, while Washburn has just one returner but boasts two Division I transfer players, said Northwest coach Gene Steinmeyer.

“Emporia and Washburn are clear and away favorites,” said Steinmeyer, whose Bearcats finished 9-18 last year. “And Pitt is a really solid third. After that, I think everybody is really fighting hard to establish themselves.”

Steinmeyer also said he’s hopeful his Bearcats can rebound following 2008-09’s disappointment and return to the form they showed the previous year when they won the MIAA tournament.

“I think this group is more athletic,” Steinmeyer said. “I like to play more of an up-tempo game, and I think this group fits that style better. I can be more of myself as a coach this year.”

Western, on the other hand, returns all of its starters from last year’s 6-21 team and should benefit from the experience.

The Griffons open Sunday with an exhibition against Missouri State in Springfield. Their first regular season game will be Nov. 20 against Michigan Tech in the Drury Tournament.

The Bearcats start on Nov. 15 at Bearcat Arena against Upper Iowa.