University of Evansville senior guard Rebekah Parker (Silver Lake, Ind./Tippecanoe Valley) was one of five players in the Missouri Valley Conference named to the preseason all-conference team this afternoon in a vote of the league's coaches, media members, and sports information directors at the annual MVC Media Day in St. Louis.
Parker joined reigning MVC Player of the Year Kristi Cirone of Illinois State, Missouri State guard Tahnee Balerio, Drake forward Brandy Dahir, and Indiana State center Laura Rudolphi on this year's preseason all-conference squad. Parker earned first team all-Valley honors last year as a junior after ranking as one of just two players in NCAA Division I women's basketball in leading her team in scoring (15.3 ppg), rebounding (5.3 rpg), assists (3.8 apg), and steals (2.0 spg).
Overall, the Purple Aces were tabbed fourth in the league's preseason poll, receiving 288 total points including one first-place vote. Reigning MVC Tournament champion Drake was chosen as the league's preseason favorite for the second-straight year, racking up 348 points and 24 first-place votes. Illinois State was second with 342 points and 12 first-place votes, while Indiana State just edged Evansville by one point for third place, with 289 total points.
Evansville, which returns 12 players and all five starters from last year's 19-12 squad this winter under the direction of eighth-year head coach Tricia Cullop, will begin the 2007-08 season this Saturday with an exhibition game against Oakland City University at Roberts Stadium as part of a UE-OCU basketball doubleheader. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m. and Saturday?s game can be heard live in the Tri-State area on 91.5 F.M.-WUEV.
2007-08 Preseason Poll
(selected by coaches, SIDs and media - 39 votes received)
1. Drake (24) ............................................. 348
2. Illinois State (12) ................................... 342
3. Indiana State ....................................... 289
4. Evansville (1) ........................................ 288
5. Southern Illinois (1) ............................... 233
6. Creighton (1) ......................................... 223
7. Missouri State ....................................... 136
8. UNI ........................................................113
9. Wichita State .......................................... 95
10. Bradley ................................................. 78
2007-08 Preseason Team
(selected by coaches, SIDs and media)
Tahnee Balerio, Missouri State, Sr., G, Buhler, Kan.
Kristi Cirone, Illinois State, Jr., G, Chicago, Ill.
Brandy Dahir, Drake, Sr., F, Carrollton, Texas
Rebekah Parker, Evansville, Sr., G, Silver Lake, Ind.
Laura Rudolphi, Indiana State, Sr., C, Carlyle, Ill.
