CHICAGO (October 19, 2021) – Fresh off a 2020-21 season in which it made the first postseason appearance in program history, the Loyola University Chicago women's basketball team has been voted to finish seventh in the Missouri Valley Conference, following the release of the league's 2021-22 Preseason Poll on Tuesday.  Voting for the poll was conducted by The Valley's head coaches, sports information directors, and selected media members.
 
Missouri State was picked to win its third straight MVC regular season crown, collecting 35 out of a possible 40 first-place votes to top the poll with 362 points.  Drake (316) received a pair of first-place nods to land second, while Northern Iowa (298) took home the remaining three first-place votes to check in third.
 
Illinois State (268) and Bradley (209) rounded out the top five, followed by Valparaiso (208), the Ramblers (193), Southern Illinois (161), Indiana State (102), and Evansville (83).
 
Reigning Jackie Stiles MVC Player of the Year Brice Calip of Missouri State headlined the five-member Preseason All-MVC Team, receiving Preseason Player of the Year distinction.  She was joined by teammate Jasmine Franklin, Grace Berg (Drake), Gabi Haack (Bradley), and Karli Rucker (Northern Iowa).
 
Sixth-year head coach Kate Achter welcomes back 11 letterwinners from last season's team that finished 12-15 overall (8-10 MVC) en route to qualifying for the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI).  That group, which accounted for over 80 percent of the Maroon & Gold's total offensive output, includes returning All-Valley selections Allison Day, Bre Hampton-Bey, Maya Chandler, and Sitori Tanin.

Loyola raises the curtain on its 2021-22 slate on Tuesday, November 9 when it plays host to Jesuit rival Detroit Mercy in a 4 p.m. tip-off inside Gentile Arena.
 
2021-22 MVC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Missouri State (35 first-place votes) – 362 points
2. Drake (2) – 316
3. UNI (3) – 298
4. Illinois State – 268
5. Bradley – 209
6. Valparaiso – 208
7. Loyola – 193
8. Southern Illinois – 161
9. Indiana State – 102
10. Evansville – 83
 
MVC Preseason All-Conference Team
Grace Berg, Drake
Brice Calip, Missouri State (MVC Preseason Player of the Year)
Jasmine Franklin, Missouri State
Gabi Haack, Bradley
Karli Rucker, UNI