Kansas City, MO- The MIAA announced its 2024 coaches poll for Volleyball on Friday morning. Central Missouri took the top spot in the poll with five first place votes and 113 points. Central Oklahoma locked in the second place spot with three first place votes and 110 points. The Jets were voted 12th, earning 11 points.
 
2024 MIAA VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Missouri [5] – 113 points
2. Central Oklahoma [3] – 110 points
3. Nebraska Kearney [3] – 106 points
4. Washburn [1] – 90 points
5. Missouri Western – 81 points
6. Northwest Missouri – 68 points
7. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 62 points
8. Missouri Southern – 49 points
9. Emporia State – 39 points
10. Pittsburg State – 35 points
11. Fort Hays State – 28 points
12. Newman – 11 points 
[#] - Number of First-Place Votes
 
Marisa Compton is entering into her third season as Head Coach of the Jets. Imani Jones and Mckinzie Weaver join the Jets staff as first year graduate assistant coaches. Jones played under Compton during her stint at Neosho CC. While at Neosho, Jones earned KJCCC East Division All-Conference Honorable Mention and NJCAA All- Region VI DII All-District Second Team in 2018. After 2018, Jones transferred to Newman where she finished out her volleyball career. Weaver also attended Newman where she was a 4 year player and setter, playing 2 years under the leadership of Compton. Weaver earned Honorable Mention All-MIAA in 2023, and had over 1,000 career assists as a Jet.
 
The Jets return a senior class of seven including All-MIAA honorable mention athlete, Ozioma Ajekwu. Ajekwu played in 25 matches last season while being the team's second leading scorer with 202.5 points averaging 2 kills a set. On the defensive end, Ajekwu added 56 blocks. Natalie Meyer also returns for the Jets this season. In 2023, Meyer led the Jets in service aces (28), blocks (58), appeared in all 28 games, and recorded the second most kills with 146. While many familiar faces return, the Jets added 9 new faces in the off season, with 7 freshmen and 2 transfers.
 
Newman Volleyball kicks off their season on the road for the first 12 matches of the season. The Jets first home game is September 24th against Southwest Baptist to close the non-conference slate. Newman starts their conference schedule at Central Oklahoma on September 27th. The last home game for the Jets is November 9th. Conference play ends for the Jets on November 16th at Missouri Southern. The MIAA conference tournament will begin on November 21st.