ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Drake women's basketball team was voted third in the 2022-23 Missouri Valley Conference Preseason poll. The Bulldogs' preseason position was chosen by a collection of MVC coaches, media, and communications personnel.
 
Led by second-year head coach Allison Pohlman, Drake earned six first-place votes, just one behind preseason second-place team Illinois State.
 
The Bulldogs return a plethora of productive players from the 2021-22 squad that went 20-14 overall and 9-9 in MVC play and earned a berth in the WNIT. Drake is the only team with multiple student-athletes on the MVC Preseason All-Conference Team as Megan Meyer and Grace Berg garnered that recognition. Meyer earned the MVC Newcomer of the Year and both her and Berg were named to the All-MVC First- Team.
 
Other key returners include sophomores Katie Dinnebier and Anna Miller, both 2021-22 All-MVC Freshman Team, and All-MVC Honorable Mention Maggie Bair.
 
MVC-newcomer Belmont was tabbed as the preseason favorite with 32 first-place votes. Belmont is also represented by 2022-23 Preseason Player of the Year Destinee Wells.
 
2022-23 MVC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll

Team (First-Place Votes)	Points
1. Belmont (32)	508
2. Illinois State (7)	444
3. Drake (6)	438
4. Murray State (2)	397
5. UNI	393
6. Missouri State	388
7. Southern Illinois	270
8. Indiana State	257
9. Evansville	207
10. Valparaiso	197
11. Bradley	133
12. UIC	112

2022 MVC Preseason All-Conference Team

Player, Team	Pos.	Class	Ht.	Hometown / High School
Grace Berg, Drake	F	RSr.	6-0	Indianola, Iowa / Indianola
Abby Feit, Evansville	G/F	Sr.	6-1	Normal, Ill. / Normal Community
Megan Meyer, Drake	G	Sr.	5-8	Mason City, Iowa / Mason City
Destinee Wells, Belmont	G	Jr.	5-6	Lakeland, Tenn. / Houston
DeAnna Wilson, Illinois State	F	Sr.	6-2	St. Louis, Mo. / Cardinal Ritter College Prep
Katelyn Young, Murray State	F	Jr.	6-1	Oakwood, Ill. / Oakwood