Three Missouri Valley Conference preseason all-conference picks headline the list of all-MVC women's basketball players for the 2006-07 season.  The all-MVC team was announced Wednesday by the league office.

Carlai Moore of Southern Illinois, Kristi Cirone of Illinois State and Tara King of Northern Iowa were all picked as preseason all-MVC and lived up to the ranking as all three were named to the first team.  Joining them on the league's top team is Tahnee Balerio of Missouri State, Brandy Dahir of Drake and Rebekah Parker of Evansville.  Moore and King were both second-team all-MVC last season, and this year, all six first team all-conference student-athletes are first-team picks for the first time.

On the all-MVC second team is Jessie Biggs of Northern Iowa; Rachel Maenpaa and Laura Rudolphi of Indiana State; Jayme Sweere of Southern Illinois and Antionette Wells of Wichita State.

The honorable mention selections includes two sophomores, three juniors and one senior. The lone senior is Erika Nelson of Bradley.

Not only did Kristi Cirone earn first -team all-MVC accolades, she was also named to the MVC All-Defensive team.  Joining her is Megan Neuvirth of Creighton; Rebekah Parker of Evansville; Jayme Sweere of Southern Illinois and Antionette Wells of Wichita State.

On the All-Freshman Team is Monique' Jones of Drake; Kelsey Luna of Indiana State; Dana Olsen of Southern Illinois; Sam Schuett of Creighton and Kenyatta Shelton of Illinois State.
 
The Missouri Valley Conference will announce its specialty awards at the pre-tournament luncheon set for noon on March 8 at the Sheraton West Des Moines.  At that time, the Freshman of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Jackie Stiles Player of the Year and Rawlings Coach of the Year will be announced.

2007 All-Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Basketball Team

FIRST TEAM
Name, School Ht. Yr. Pos. Hometown 
Tahnee Balerio, Missouri State 5-6 Jr. G Buhler, Kan.
Kristi Cirone, Illinois State 5-8 So. G Chicago, Ill.
Brandy Dahir, Drake 6-0 Jr. F Carrollton, Texas
Carlai Moore, Southern Illinois 6-1 Sr. F Kansas City, Kan.
Rebekah Parker, Evansville 5-10 Jr. G/F Silver Lake, Ind.
Tara King, Northern Iowa 6-0 Sr. F Ottumwa, Iowa

SECOND TEAM
Jessie Biggs, Northern Iowa 5-10 Sr. G Ottumwa, Iowa
Rachel Maenpaa, Indiana State 6-1 Sr. C Watertown, Wis.
Laura Rudolphi, Indiana State 6-2 Jr. C Carlyle, Ill.
Jayme Sweere, Southern Illinois 5-9 Jr. G Springfield, Mo.
Antionette Wells, Wichita State 6-4 Sr. C Kansas City, Mo.

HONORABLE MENTION
Courtney Felke, Evansville 5-8 Jr. G Rochester, Ind.
Nicolle Lewis, Illinois State 6-5 So. C Wind Lake, Wis.
Erika Nelson, Bradley 5-8 Sr. G Orland Park, Ill.
Erica Smith, Southern Illinois 5-7 So. G/F Florissant, Mo.
Ally Thrall, Creighton 5-6  Jr. G Des Moines, Iowa
Lindsay Whorton, Drake 6-0 Jr. G Independence, Mo.

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Monique’ Jones, Drake 5-10 Fr. F Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Kelsey Luna, Indiana State 5-5 Fr. G St. Louis, Mo.
Dana Olsen, Southern Illinois 6-1 Fr. F Overland Park, Kan.
Sam Schuett, Creighton 6-1 Fr. F Omaha, Neb.
Kenyatta Shelton, Illinois State 6-1 Fr. F Chicago, Ill.

ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
Kristi Cirone, Illinois State 5-8 So. G Chicago, Ill.
Megan Neuvirth, Creighton 5-11 Fr. F West Point, Neb.
Rebekah Parker, Evansville 5-10 Jr. G/F Silver Lake, Ind.
Jayme Sweere, Southern Illinois 5-9 Jr. G Springfield, Mo.
Antionette Wells, Wichita State 6-4 Sr. C Kansas City, Mo.

SPECIALTY AWARDS
Jackie Stiles MVP
Kristi Cirone, Illinois State 5-8 So. G Chicago, Ill.
Newcomer of the Year
Megan Neuvirth, Creighton 5-11 Fr. F West Point, Neb.
Defensive Player of the Year
Rebekah Parker, Evansville 5-10 Jr. G/F Silver Lake, Ind.
Freshman of the Year
Kelsey Luna, Indiana State
Rawlings MVC Coach of the Year
Dana Eikenberg, Southern Illinois