KANSAS CITY, Mo.- The MIAA announced its 2025 volleyball preseason coaches poll, with Newman earning 12 points to take the No. 12 spot. Nebraska Kearney topped the poll with nine first-place votes and 119 points, while Central Oklahoma followed in second with 111 points and three first-place votes.

2025 MIAA Volleyball Preseason Rankings
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 

Head Coach Mike MacNeill enters his first season leading the Jets after spending two years at Fresno Pacific. With the Sunbirds, MacNeill guided the program to a second-place PacWest finish with 15 conference wins in his first year, and compiled an overall 23-16 record. Under his leadership, three Sunbirds earned all-conference honors.

The Jets return six players for the 2025 season, including sophomore Hannah Tymitz, who played in 101 sets across 30 matches and recorded 130 kills, averaging 1.58 points per set. Defensive specialist Brooklyn Lane returns for her junior campaign after appearing in 98 sets, where she tallied 158 digs and 23 service aces. Setter Madalyn Hoot is back for her sophomore year after playing in 59 sets and contributing 338 assists (5.73 per set), along with 24 kills and 115 digs. Newman also adds four newcomers to the roster, two freshmen and two transfers.

The Jets open the season on the road with three tournaments: the Midwestern State Invitational, Washburn Invitational, and the UCO/SNU Tournament. After 11 straight road matches, Newman will make its home and conference debut on September 25 against Arkansas-Fort Smith. Newman will host nine MIAA opponents this fall: Arkansas-Fort Smith, Central Oklahoma, Emporia State, Washburn, Pittsburg State, Fort Hays State, Nebraska Kearney, Central Missouri, and Missouri Southern. The Jets conclude the regular season on November 15 against Missouri Southern before heading to the MIAA Conference Tournament, November 20 at the Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Missouri.