The Missouri State Bears are picked to finish third in the Missouri Valley Conference according to the preseason poll released by the conference today.  Defending champion Illinois State was picked to win the conference again with Creighton chosen ahead of Missouri State.  The Bears garnered 36 points, one behind Creighton (37) and 10 behind Illinois State (46).

"The whole league is going to be better this season," said head coach Rob Brewer.  "The Redbirds deserve credit based on their performance last season and Creighton is always a tough team.  The teams below us will be better than last year, so it will be a challenge all season long."

The preseason All-MVC squad was also announced by the Valley today.  Three Missouri State players, Jordan Reppell, Jessica Teahan and Rachel Weimer, were selected to the team.  Teahan and Reppell were first-team All-MVC honorees last season, while Weimer was named to the All-MVC second team and MVC All-Freshman team.

"These three are very deserving of the preseason honor," continued Brewer.  "Reppell is a mainstay on defense and has played very well for us in her first three seasons.  Teahan had a very solid year last season and we hope she continues the trend of good keepers at Missouri State.  Weimer is a dynamic and explosive player that teams will have to deal with all season."

Reppell tallied three assists, including the game-winner against Illinois State, last season.  She will be a vital part of the Bears backline and the primary set piece taker this season.  The senior has started and played in all but one match of her career as a Bear.

Teahan performed admirably in her first season as the Bears starting goalkeeper.  She started all 18 matches, recorded seven shutouts and registered a miniscule 0.86 goals against average.  She was named MVC Defensive Player of the Week twice during 2009 (Sept. 21 and Oct. 12).

Weimer scored the Bears first goal of 2009, the game winner against Austin Peay (Aug. 28).  She recorded another goal two matches later and added an assist at Evansville (Oct. 10).  Her 28 shots last season were third-best on the team with her 18 shots on goal second-best.

The preseason poll and All-MVC team were voted on by the league's seven head coaches.

Missouri State will open exhibition play next Monday, August 16, with a 6:00 p.m. tilt against Central Missouri and host Drury at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 19.  The Bears regular season home opener is set for Friday, August 27 at 7:00 p.m. against UALR.

2010 Preseason Poll
Team                     Points
Illinois State            46
Creighton                37
Missouri State        36
Evansville                23
Drake                     19
Indiana State           19
UNI                        16

2010 Preseason All-MVC Team
GK Jessica Teahan, Missouri State, Jr., Lenexa, Kan. (St. Thomas Aquinas)
D Jordan Reppell, Missouri State, Sr., St. Louis, Mo. (St. Joseph's Academy)
F Rachel Weimer, Missouri State, So., Bonner Springs, Kan. (St. James Academy)
F Rachel Bostick, Illinois State, So., Naperville, Ill. (Waubonsie Valley)
D Megan Cameron, UNI, Jr., Urbandale, Iowa (Urbandale)
F Jessica Carlson, Illinois State, Jr., Darien, Ill. (Hinsdale South)
D/M Kelly Connolly, Creighton, Jr., Omaha, Neb. (Skutt Catholic)
F Kristen Davis, Evansville, So., Miami, Fla. (Gulliver Prep)
F Brittney Neumann, Creighton, So., Omaha, Neb. (Millard North)
M Emily Orbell, Creighton, Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn. (White Bear Lake)
F Alyssa Schulz, Illinois State, Sr., Maple Grove, Minn. (Maple Grove)