ST. LOUIS – Maggie Bair and Grace Berg of the Drake University women's basketball team were named the Missouri Valley Conference Sixth Player of the Year and MVC Newcomer of the Year, respectively, the MVC announced Thursday, March 11.
 
Bair is the first Drake player to be picked the MVC Sixth Player of the Year since Sara Rhine, who earned the award in 2016 and 2018. Despite missing five games due to injury, Bair, averaged 8.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, both career-best totals, while leading the MVC in shooting at 59.1 percent. She is second in the league in blocks with 36 while her rebounding average ranks fifth. Bair has recorded three-straight double-doubles, including an impressive 17-point and 15-rebound performance in the comeback win over Valparaiso in the regular season finale. Her career game against Valpo helped Bair win her second MVC Player of the Week award this season.
 
Berg provided an immediate impact in her first season starting every game for the Bulldogs. She is just the second Drake player to win MVC Newcomer of the Year joining Jayme Anderson in 2002. The Indianola native and transfer from Missouri, is second in the MVC in scoring with a career-high 16.4 points clip, ranks third in shooting at 54.1 percent and free throw percentage at 83.1. Both shooting percentages are also career-bests. In addition, Berg averages 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Berg was named the MVC Newcomer of the Week seven times this season.
 
Drake starts the MVC Tournament play Friday at 5 p.m. against the winner of Thursday night's Evansville versus Valparaiso contest. The entire MVC Tournament at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline, Ill. will be streamed on ESPN+.