Ryley Goebel

ST. LOUIS — The Missouri Valley Conference announced its 2026 women’s basketball all-conference teams Tuesday, with Northern Iowa and Drake each placing multiple players among the league’s postseason honorees.

Northern Iowa senior forward Ryley Goebel highlighted the in-state selections, earning MVC Defensive Player of the Year and spots on the All-MVC First Team and All-Defensive Team. Goebel anchored the Panthers on both ends of the floor, averaging 14.3 points and 8.1 rebounds while ranking second nationally with 2.8 blocked shots per game. She recorded a rare triple-double that included 10 blocks, setting a program single-game record.

The Panthers added another all-league selection with junior guard Jenna Twedt, who was named to the All-MVC Third Team. Twedt averaged 14.5 points per game, finishing second in the conference in 3-point percentage (37.9%) and 3-pointers made per game (2.67), connecting on 80 shots from beyond the arc during the regular season.

Drake also received multiple all-conference honors. Senior guard Abbie Aalsma earned a place on the All-MVC Second Team after leading the Bulldogs at 15.1 points per game.

Anna Becker was recognized as the conference’s Freshman of the Year and was named to the All-Freshman Team. Becker started every game during her debut season and averaged 11.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting better than 48 percent from the field. She earned MVC Freshman of the Week honors five times.

Murray State junior point guard Halli Poock, a Waterloo West graduate, was named the Jackie Stiles Player of the Year. Poock, a Bradley transfer, averaged 22.2 points per game and 25.5 in conference play. Nationally, Poock ranks 11th in scoring average.

The Racers also saw Sharnecce Currie-Jelks voted as the MVC Newcomer of the Year, and head coach Rechelle Turner named Coach of the Year. Currie-Jelks is the only player in the league averaging a double-double, sitting at 18.3 points and 11.7 rebounds per outing. Turner led Murray State to a 19-1 league record and its second-straight regular-season title.

Bradley’s Maya Foz was named Freshman of the Year after averaging 14.4 points per game. Belmont sophomore Sanaa Tripp took Sixth Player of the Year honors, averaging 25.9 minutes per game off the bench. Tripp tallied 7.9 points, 3.8 rebounds 1.4 steals and 1.4 assists per game.

Illinois State sophomore Doneelah Washington garnered Most Improved Player after doubling her playing time and putting up 17.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game this season.

Poock, Goebel, Currie-Jelks and Washington were joined on the All-MVC First Team by Jessica Carrothers of Illinois-Chicago and Bradley’s Kaylen Nelson.