.png&height=24&type=webp)
Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Tkiyah Nelson
Saluki Women's Basketball Picked Eighth in MVC Preseason Poll
10/13/2026 | 11:01:00 | Women's Basketball
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Saluki Women's Basketball squad was picked eighth in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, the conference announced Tuesday.
Leading the conference with 477 points and 41 first-place votes were the Murray State Racers, the reigning regular season and tournament champions. Following them in second place were the Illinois State Redbirds with 396 points. Coming in third with two of the remaining first-place votes and 375 points are the Bruins of Belmont. Snagging the final first-place vote and sitting in fourth place are the Northern Iowa Panthers, who tallied 343 points. Rounding out the top six were Drake and UIC with 317 and 267 points respectively.
After coming off a 10-20 season, the Saluki squad was picked eighth, recording 166 points and no first-place votes. For the Salukis, it's a way to feel motivated and determined to prove the voters wrong. Senior guard Tkiyah Nelson said, "Being picked eighth just gives us more motivation to go out and prove ourselves. We know what we're capable of as a team, and we're not letting a preseason ranking define us. We're focused on working hard, competing every day, and earning the respect we deserve. At the end of the day, it's about how we finish, not where we start."
Head Coach Kelly Bond-White also chimed in on the poll. "Preseason rankings are based on impressions. Our job isn't to talk about where we belong. It's to prove it every time we take the floor. That's the impact we're building toward. We haven't earned anything yet, and we understand that. Respect in this league is earned through consistency, toughness, and execution. Every day, our responsibility is to prepare, compete, and represent those standards."
The Dawgs begin play with an exhibition at home versus Kentucky Wesleyan on October 22 at 6 p.m. in the Banterra Center. They will open regular-season contests with a home battle against Illinois-Springfield on November 3 at 6 p.m.
GET YOUR SEASON TICKETS HERE!
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_WBasketball, on Instagram at @SIU_WBasketball, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiAthletics. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.Â
Â
Leading the conference with 477 points and 41 first-place votes were the Murray State Racers, the reigning regular season and tournament champions. Following them in second place were the Illinois State Redbirds with 396 points. Coming in third with two of the remaining first-place votes and 375 points are the Bruins of Belmont. Snagging the final first-place vote and sitting in fourth place are the Northern Iowa Panthers, who tallied 343 points. Rounding out the top six were Drake and UIC with 317 and 267 points respectively.
After coming off a 10-20 season, the Saluki squad was picked eighth, recording 166 points and no first-place votes. For the Salukis, it's a way to feel motivated and determined to prove the voters wrong. Senior guard Tkiyah Nelson said, "Being picked eighth just gives us more motivation to go out and prove ourselves. We know what we're capable of as a team, and we're not letting a preseason ranking define us. We're focused on working hard, competing every day, and earning the respect we deserve. At the end of the day, it's about how we finish, not where we start."
Head Coach Kelly Bond-White also chimed in on the poll. "Preseason rankings are based on impressions. Our job isn't to talk about where we belong. It's to prove it every time we take the floor. That's the impact we're building toward. We haven't earned anything yet, and we understand that. Respect in this league is earned through consistency, toughness, and execution. Every day, our responsibility is to prepare, compete, and represent those standards."
The Dawgs begin play with an exhibition at home versus Kentucky Wesleyan on October 22 at 6 p.m. in the Banterra Center. They will open regular-season contests with a home battle against Illinois-Springfield on November 3 at 6 p.m.
GET YOUR SEASON TICKETS HERE!
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_WBasketball, on Instagram at @SIU_WBasketball, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiAthletics. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.Â
Â
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballTuesday, October 13
Monday, October 12
Sunday, October 11
Sunday, October 11