MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's women's basketball team is projected to be among the top contenders for the Midwest Conference championship this season, according to a vote by the league's coaches.
 
Coach Brent Brase's Rams are picked second in the MWC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Cornell received 50 points.
 
Four-time defending MWC regular-season champion Ripon is the favorite to stay on top, earning 64 points and eight first-place votes. Illinois College and Knox tied for third place with 46 points. Illinois College garnered one first-place nod.
 
Rounding out the projections are Grinnell in fifth (31 points), Monmouth sixth (29), Lake Forest and Lawrence seventh (24) and Beloit ninth (10).
 
The top four finishers in the regular season qualify for the MWC Tournament Feb. 24-25.
 
The Rams have played in the MWC Tournament seven of the past nine seasons, reaching the title game five times during the span. Cornell has won four regular-season titles since 2013.
 
Cornell returns five starters and its top six scorers from last year's squad that finished 12-9 overall, 7-7 in the MWC. Senior center Madison Wauters heads the group, earning second team all-MWC honors in 2021-22.
 
The Rams travel to rival Coe for the season opener at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in Cedar Rapids. They open MWC play Nov. 29 at Illinois College.