ST. LOUIS – The Drake University women's basketball team has been picked as the preseason favorite in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll for the second-straight year, the league office announced Tuesday morning prior to the start of the league's annual basketball media day held at the St. Louis City Center Hotel. Drake claimed the 2016-17 MVC regular season and tournament championships.
 
Junior Sammie Bachrodt (Wichita, Kan.) and sophomore Becca Hittner (Urbandale, Iowa) were selected to the 2017-18 All-MVC Preseason First Team. The duo and redshirt junior Becca Jonas (Independence, Mo.) are returning starters for the Bulldogs and three of nine returning letterwinners for head coach Jennie Baranczyk. After one of the most successful seasons in program history, Drake looks to defend its MVC championships and return to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Bachrodt and Hittner are joined on the All-MVC Preseason First Team by Liza Fruendt of Missouri State, Kylie Giebelhausen of Southern Illinois and Ellie Howell of UNI. Fruendt has been tabbed as the MVC Preseason Player of the Year
 
Drake fans will have the opportunity to check out the 2017-18 team when it hosts Grand View on Nov. 1 in an exhibition contest with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Knapp Center. The Bulldogs open the regular season in the Preseason WNIT against Milwaukee on Nov. 10 at the Knapp Center.
 
2017-18 MVC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll Rankings (Points) (First Place Votes)

1. Drake, 356 (31)
2. Missouri State, 323 (7)
3. UNI, 311 (2)
4. Southern Illinois, 256
5. Indiana State, 231
6. Bradley, 216
7. Illinois State, 139
8. Evansville, 132
9. Valparaiso, 131
10. Loyola, 105