The Valpo women’s basketball team has been picked to finish in 10^th place in the Missouri Valley Conference in the 2022-23 season, according to preseason polling of the conference head coaches, sports information directors and selected media members.

The Beacons garnered 197 points in the preseason poll to place 10^th, coming in ahead of Bradley and UIC and finishing just 10 points behind Evansville. Belmont claimed 32 of 48 first-place votes to top the poll, outpacing Illinois State and Drake at the top.

Valpo will have a revamped squad on the floor this season, as the Beacons return just 32.1% of their scoring, 38.1% of their rebounding, 24.4% of their assists and 35.9% of their minutes played from last year’s squad. Valpo does return a pair of starters among its seven returning letterwinners. Olivia Brown earned a spot on the MVC All-Newcomer Team last season, averaging 6.6 points/game overall and 9.5 points in Valley play. Also returning is Leah Earnest, who posted 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last season and ranked second on the team in rebounding.

Valpo opens the 2022-23 season at Central Michigan on Monday, Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. CT. The Beacons’ home opener is Saturday, Nov. 12 versus Southern Miss at noon.