St. Louis – The Missouri Valley Conference has announced the 2021 Preseason Coaches' Poll and Preseason All-Conference Team. UNI was selected 4th by MVC coaches while Sammey Bunch and Adara Opiola each landed on the preseason all-conference team.
The Panthers finished the shortened 2020 season with a 7-14 record after going 28-23 and making the MVC Championship game in 2019. UNI received 70 points and 1 first place vote in the poll, behind Missouri State (78), Illinois State (87), and Southern Illinois who finished with 96 points and 6 first place votes.