Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Women's Basketball Earns Votes To Win Regular Season & Tournament in Preseason Poll
November 04, 2021 | Women's Basketball
CLEVELAND - - The Ball State women's basketball team earned one vote to win the regular season title and one vote to claim the conference tournament championship in the 2021-22 Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Overall, it was a very balanced preseason poll with the league's 12 head coaches split between five different teams to win both titles. Ohio enters the year as the favorite to regular season title with 132 points and four first-place votes, while Buffalo is the favorite to claim the tournament title with five votes.
Ball State, which was selected ninth overall in this year's preseason poll, finished the 2020-21 COVID-19 adjusted season sixth in the final league standings with a 12-8 MAC record. However, BSU was one of only three teams to play all 20 conference games, with its 12 wins ranking third in the MAC.
After picking up a 122-26 victory over Oakland City in Wednesday's exhibition game, the Cardinals officially open the 2021-22 season Tuesday (Nov. 9) with a 11:30 a.m. tip off versus Milwaukee for Field Trip Day in Worthen Arena.
2021-22 MAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll (First Place Votes)
1. Ohio – 132 points (4 first place votes)
2. Bowling Green – 124 points (3)
3. Buffalo – 123 points (3)
4. Kent State – 102 points
5. Eastern Michigan – 83 points (1)
6. Central Michigan – 80 points
7. Northern Illinois – 79 points
8. Toledo – 67 points
9. Ball State – 65 points (1)
10. Western Michigan – 31 points
11. Miami – 27 points
12. Akron – 23 points
MAC Tournament Champion: Buffalo (5), Ohio (3), BGSU (2), Ball State (1), EMU (1)
Preseason All-MAC First Team
Dyaisha Fair, Buffalo, Junior, Guard
Molly Davis, Central Michigan, Junior, Guard
Areanna Combs, Eastern Michigan, R-Senior, Guard
Cierra (CeCe) Hooks, Ohio, Senior, Guard
Erica Johnson, Ohio, R-Junior, Guard
Preseason All-MAC Second Team
Lexi Fleming, Bowling Green, Sophomore, Guard
Nila Blackford, Kent State, Junior, Forward
Peyton Scott, Miami, Junior, Guard
Chelby Koker, Northern Illinois, Junior, Guard
Quinesha Lockett, Toledo, Junior, Guard/Forward
Overall, it was a very balanced preseason poll with the league's 12 head coaches split between five different teams to win both titles. Ohio enters the year as the favorite to regular season title with 132 points and four first-place votes, while Buffalo is the favorite to claim the tournament title with five votes.
Ball State, which was selected ninth overall in this year's preseason poll, finished the 2020-21 COVID-19 adjusted season sixth in the final league standings with a 12-8 MAC record. However, BSU was one of only three teams to play all 20 conference games, with its 12 wins ranking third in the MAC.
After picking up a 122-26 victory over Oakland City in Wednesday's exhibition game, the Cardinals officially open the 2021-22 season Tuesday (Nov. 9) with a 11:30 a.m. tip off versus Milwaukee for Field Trip Day in Worthen Arena.
2021-22 MAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll (First Place Votes)
1. Ohio – 132 points (4 first place votes)
2. Bowling Green – 124 points (3)
3. Buffalo – 123 points (3)
4. Kent State – 102 points
5. Eastern Michigan – 83 points (1)
6. Central Michigan – 80 points
7. Northern Illinois – 79 points
8. Toledo – 67 points
9. Ball State – 65 points (1)
10. Western Michigan – 31 points
11. Miami – 27 points
12. Akron – 23 points
MAC Tournament Champion: Buffalo (5), Ohio (3), BGSU (2), Ball State (1), EMU (1)
Preseason All-MAC First Team
Dyaisha Fair, Buffalo, Junior, Guard
Molly Davis, Central Michigan, Junior, Guard
Areanna Combs, Eastern Michigan, R-Senior, Guard
Cierra (CeCe) Hooks, Ohio, Senior, Guard
Erica Johnson, Ohio, R-Junior, Guard
Preseason All-MAC Second Team
Lexi Fleming, Bowling Green, Sophomore, Guard
Nila Blackford, Kent State, Junior, Forward
Peyton Scott, Miami, Junior, Guard
Chelby Koker, Northern Illinois, Junior, Guard
Quinesha Lockett, Toledo, Junior, Guard/Forward
This Week in Ball State Sports // Mick Tidrow and Jeff Mitchell wrap up the academic year
Thursday, May 07
Women's Basketball // reBuilt Different Episode 3 featuring Aniss Tagayi
Monday, April 20
Women's Basketball // reBuilt Different Episode 2 featuring Tessa Towers
Thursday, April 09
Women's Basketball // reBuilt Different Episode 1 featuring Grace Kingery
Thursday, April 02