The Valparaiso University women’s basketball program has announced that head coach Tracey Dorow will take a medical leave of absence from the team.

Doctors recommended the leave of absence for Dorow, who missed six games during the 2016-2017 season while recovering from neck surgery.

The sixth-year Valpo head coach will miss all games Valpo plays in this week’s Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

Assistant coach Justin Rees will serve as the acting head coach for this week’s games. Rees, who previously filled in for Dorow during her six-game leave last season, is in his fourth season on Valpo’s staff and his 19th in women’s college basketball.

The Crusaders will participate in the first game of Hoops in The Heartland on Thursday against Loyola at 4 p.m. CT. The winner of the game will advance to play Drake on Friday at noon.