Joiner Named Preseason First Team All-MVC; Valpo Picked Fifth
Valpo senior forward Addy Joiner (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) has been named a preseason First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection as the conference office released its preseason poll and teams on Wednesday. The Beacons were picked to finish in fifth place in the Valley standings in the polling of the conference’s head coaches.
A two-time All-MVC selection, Joiner netted eight goals last season, tying her for third in the MVC and moving into a tie for ninth on the program’s single-season goals chart. She enters her final campaign tied for sixth in program history with 18 career goals, tied for seventh with 40 points and tied for eighth with six match-winning goals.
Coming off of a regular season MVC championship in 2022 and a conference tournament title last season, Valpo was picked fifth in the preseason poll, garnering 83 points — just shy of UIC in third position (87) and UNI in fourth place (85). Missouri State topped the poll with 116 points and seven first-place votes, while Drake placed second with 109 points and three first-place nods.
All 20 players from the 2023 roster who did not graduate return in 2024, including five regular starters. The Beacons did graduate a decorated class of nine players, however, which accounted for 54.2% of the team’s minutes played last year. 10 newcomers join the program this year as well as Valpo looks to claim a championship for a third straight season. The campaign gets underway Sunday afternoon at Chicago State.