Contact: Chassidy Holloway, Associate Executive Director, holloway@midwestconference.org
 
GRINNELL, Iowa – Ripon College is projected to win its seventh consecutive Midwest Conference (MWC) women’s basketball championship, according to a vote by the league’s head coaches in the 2024-25 preseason poll, announced Wednesday afternoon.
 
The Red Hawks earned 62 points and six first-place votes to take the top spot in the poll. Over the past six contested seasons, Ripon has shared or won outright the regular season crown and claimed three tournament titles. Last season, the Red Hawks went 14-2 against league opponents and 19-9 overall.
 
Knox College secured second place with 56 points and two first-place votes. The Prairie Fire concluded last season with a 10-6 record in MWC play and an overall record of 19-8. Two seasons ago, Knox achieved several program milestones, capturing its first MWC Championship, its first MWC Tournament Championship, and making its inaugural NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
Lawrence University collected 51 points and the remaining first-place vote to finish third. Last year, the Vikings returned to the MWC Tournament for the first time in 17 years. During the 2023-24 campaign, Lawrence went 9-7 in league play and 15-11 overall, including an overtime victory over Ripon in the last game of the regular season, which secured their tournament spot.
 
The top five is rounded out by Illinois College in fourth with 40 points and Grinnell College in fifth with 36 points. Cornell College earned 34 points, Lake Forest College received 18, Beloit College picked up 14, and Monmouth College finished with 13.
 
Grinnell College will open the 2024-25 season on Friday, November 8, with seven other teams following on Saturday, November 9. MWC play begins on Tuesday, December 8, with six teams in action.
 
The 2024 MWC Women’s Basketball Tournament is scheduled for Friday, February 28, and Saturday, March 1. This season-ending event will feature the league’s top four teams from the final standings, competing for the tournament title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Full preseason poll results and quick facts for all nine league teams are available below.
 
2024-25 MWC Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Ripon College (6) – 62 points
2. Knox College (2) – 56 points
3. Lawrence University (1) – 51 points
4. Illinois College – 40 points
5. Grinnell College – 36 points
6. Cornell College – 34 points
7. Lake Forest College – 18 points
8. Beloit College – 14 points
9. Monmouth College – 13 points
 
() – indicates first-place votes
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
 
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Larry Knight (1^st Season)
2023-24: 11-14 (overall); 8-8 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Brent Brase (20^th Season)
2023-24: 9-16 (overall); 7-9 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Dana Harrold (12^th Season)
2023-24: 14-10 (overall); 9-7 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Illinois College Lady Blues
Head Coach: Jennifer McCormick (9^th Season)
2023-24: 15-11 (overall); 10-6 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Ashlyn Wightman (5th Year, Center)
 
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Seth McDowell (2^nd Season)
2023-24: 19-8 (overall); 10-6 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Kylee Callahan (Jr, Guard – 2022-23 MWC Newcomer of the Year), Bria Medina (So, Guard – 2023-24 MWC Newcomer of the Year)
 
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Tamlyn Tills (17^th Season)
2023-24: 7-17 (overall); 5-11 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Riley Woldt (7^th Season)
2023-24: 15-11 (overall); 9-7 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Charlotte Brennan (So, Guard), Maggie Culver (Sr, Forward)
 
Monmouth College Scots
Head Coach: Michelle DeCoud (2^nd Season)
2023-24: 2-23 (overall); 0-16 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Lauren Busalacchi (11^th Season)
2023-24: 19-9 (overall); 14-2 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Ella Ten Pas (Sr, Forward – 2023-24 MWC Player of the Year)