North Dakota's Loyd Named Big Sky Preseason MVP In Women's Basketball

North Dakota's Loyd Named Big Sky Preseason MVP In Women's Basketball

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Preseason All-Conference team also announced

Jon Oglesby, Women's Basketball Communications Director

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RENO, Nev. (October 4, 2015)- In the midst of its Basketball Media Day in Reno, the Big Sky Conference announced the Preseason All-Conference Team and MVP in women’s basketball.

North Dakota senior forward Mia Loyd is the Preseason MVP for the conference. Loyd, who helped lead UND to the NCAA tournament in 2014, averaged 15 points and 8.9 rebounds a game last season. Loyd was a member of the Big Sky’s All-Conference first-team after last season.

The Preseason All-Conference team consists of Eastern Washington senior guard Hayley Hodgins, Idaho State senior guard Apiphany Woods, Montana State senior forward Jasmine Hommes, Montana junior forward Kayleigh Valley and Montana senior guard McCalle Feller.

Hodgins averaged 16.3 points a game last season, as Eastern Washington finished with a record of 21-12- the program’s best record in coach Wendy Schuller’s 14 seasons in Cheney.

Woods played a significant role in Idaho State’s seventh-consecutive trip to the Big Sky tournament last season, as she averaged 15.5 points and 4.8 rebounds a game. Woods was named the Big Sky’s Newcomer of the Year for last season.

Hommes averaged 16.9 points per game last season, as Montana State finished with a record of 15-15, and 9-9 in league play. Hommes shared the Big Sky’s Player of the Week award for March 9 last season.

Valley and Feller both helped the Lady Griz make their 21st trip to the NCAA tournament last season, as Montana finished with a record of 24-9. Valley contributed 11.5 points a game, while Feller contributed 10.9 points. Both were voted as All-Big Sky honorable mention last season.

The Lady Griz were selected first in the Preseason Coaches’ and Media Polls.

The Preseason All-Conference team was selected by the conference’s media and sports information directors.

The 2015-16 Big Sky women’s basketball season will be a season-long “Road to Reno,” as each conference program will qualify for the league’s conference tournament at the Reno Events Center. The tournament will be held from March 7-12, 2016.

Preseason All-Conference Team
Hayley Hodgins Eastern Washington Guard SR.
Apiphany Woods Idaho State Guard SR.
Jasmine Hommes Montana State Forward SR.
Kayleigh Valley Montana Forward JR.
McCall Feller Montana Guard SR.
Preseason MVP
Mia Loyd North Dakota Forward SR.