Missouri State Women Favored In MVC Preseason Poll

Courtesy: Missouri State Athletics

ST. LOUIS – Coming off its 17th conference championship in the last 19 years, Missouri State garnered the top spot in the Missouri Valley Conference women’s swimming and diving preseason poll, as announced by the league Friday.

“This is one more opportunity for us to pause and celebrate last year’s achievements and all the success the ladies had at the 2021 championships,” said Bears head coach Dave Collins. “We talk often about history and tradition, so this is a cool way to recognize last year’s group.”

The Bears amassed all eight first-place votes from head coaches around the league, boasting a perfect score of 64 points in the poll. Southern Illinois and Indiana State joined MSU in the top three with 51 and 50 points, respectively. Illinois State, Northern Iowa, Little Rock, Evansville, and Valparaiso rounded out the rest of this season’s poll.

Missouri State is coming off a season for the record books, winning the 2021 MVC Swimming & Diving Championships, along with a host of individual accomplishments. Collins was named MVC Coach of the Year and Jim Hueslkamp was named MVC Diving Coach of the Year. The Bears garnered 18 all-MVC nods – 12 first team and six honorable mentions.

The senior duo of Liberty Howell and Anna Miller highlight the returnees as the pair have combined for 43 gold medals at the MVC championships. Howell is a perfect 12-for-12 in her career in individual events at the MVC championships, while Miller is the reigning MVC Swimmer of the Year after winning all three of her events in record breaking fashion at last season’s championships. The Bears return 16 all-MVC selections from last season.

MSU opens the 2021 portion of its schedule at Hammons Student Center against Southern Illinois on Friday, Oct. 1.

“This year’s team is excited to get the season started and perform at a high level while making their own memories,” Collins added. “That is the expectation being associated with this program.”