Women's Basketball picked 10th in MVC Preseason Poll
10/27/2009 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Oct. 27, 2009
www.SIUSalukis.com
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Southern Illinois women's basketball team, under new head coach Missy Tiber, was picked 10th in the 2009-10 Missouri Valley Conference annual preseason poll selected by the league's coaches, sports information directors and the media members.
Southern Illinois (10th, 61 points), welcomes back one starter and five letterwinners from last season's team. The Salukis top-two returning scorers, junior Katrina Swingler and sophomore Olivia Lett, will lead Southern Illinois in a year of transition. Senior guard Christine Presswood also returns to the floor and will serve a strong leadership role in 2009-10, as the Salukis add nine newcomers for the upcoming season.
"There is no where to go, but up," Tiber said of her team's pick. "It is going to be a challenge and I understood that when I took the position. I think the future for our program looks bright. We have been working really hard getting our new system in place which is an up-tempo style. We are excited to be a part of the Missouri Valley Conference and we're looking forward to the challenges ahead."
Creighton, which returns a veteran backcourt and solid depth from last year's second-place Missouri Valley Conference finisher, has been tabbed as the preseason favorite. The Bluejays are coming off a 22-win season, including a second-place regular-season Valley finish and runner-up finish at the 2008-09 league tournament, received 34 of 40 first-place votes and 393 total points, out-distancing Illinois State (340). Drake (296), UNI (253) and Indiana State (250) follow the Bluejays and Redbirds in a tightly-packed group behind the preseason favorites.
School (First-Place Votes) • Points
1. Creighton (34) • 393
2. Illinois State (6) • 340
3. Drake • 296
4. UNI • 253
5. Indiana State • 250
6. Bradley • 214
7. Missouri State • 188
8. Evansville • 108
9. Wichita State • 97
10. Southern Illinois • 61
Creighton is led by the reigning MVC Defensive Player of the Year Megan Neuvirth, one of four returning starters for the Bluejays. Neuvirth headlines the preseason all-MVC team, which includes Casey Garrison of Missouri State, Maggie Krick of Illinois State, Kelsey Luna of Indiana State and Jordann Plummer of Drake.
2009-10 MVC Preseason Team, Pos., Ht., Yr., Hometown (High School)
Casey Garrison, Missouri State, G, 6-0, So., Bolivar, Mo. (Bolivar)
Maggie Krick, Illinois State, G, 5-11, Sr., Washington, Ill. (Washington)
Kelsey Luna, Indiana State, G, 5-5, Sr., St. Louis, Mo. (St. Joseph's Academy)
Megan Neuvirth, Creighton, F, 5-11 Sr., West Point, Neb. (West Point Central Catholic)
Jordann Plummer, Drake, G, 5-6, Sr., St. Louis, Mo. (Cardinal Ritter)