FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) has released its inaugural Women’s Golf Preseason Poll, and Saint Mary’s College claimed the top spot heading into the 2025 fall season. The Belles, the defending regular-season champions, earned 11 points and five first-place votes, edging Trine University, which finished just behind them with 15 points and four first-place votes.
The poll marks the first time in league history that MIAA women’s golf programs have been ranked prior to the start of competition.
1. Saint Mary’s College – 11 points (5 first-place votes)
Saint Mary’s enters the 2025 campaign as the defending MIAA regular-season champion after averaging 317.83 last year. This was the twelfth title in Belles program history. Sophomore Melanie Maier, the reigning MIAA Most Valuable Golfer, returns after leading the league with a 76.17 stroke average. She is joined by senior Julia Lizak, a three-time All-MIAA honoree who earned First Team recognition in 2024-25 with an average of 80.33, and junior Colleen Hand, who posted an 83.33 average to earn Second Team honors. The Belles are led by first-year head coach Kristin Holt, who previously served as the program’s assistant coach for a year and a half.
2. Trine University – 15 points (4 first-place votes)
The Thunder finished just behind Saint Mary’s last season with a 322.33 average. Sophomore Rylee Smith had a standout debut, earning First Team All-MIAA honors and finishing second individually with a 76.67 average. Junior Natalie Kulka also returns after collecting Second Team recognition with an 81.83 average. Head coach Mackenna Kelly, who was named 2025 MIAA Women’s Golf Coach of the Year in her first season, looks to guide Trine to the top of the standings this fall.
3. Adrian College – 27 points
Adrian secured third place in the conference standings last season with a 328.50 team average. The Bulldogs will be led by junior Ainslee Hewitt, who posted an 87.67 average in 2024-25 and looks to anchor the lineup this fall.
4. Calvin University – 28 points
Calvin finished fourth a season ago with a 333.83 average and returns junior Andrea Diemer, a two-time All-MIAA honoree who earned Second Team recognition in 2024-25 with an 83.33 average. Also back are sophomore Brooke Haney (87.17) and senior Kayla Adkins (87.33), who finished back-to-back in the conference standings.
5. Hope College – 32 points
Hope placed fifth in 2024-25 with a 343.17 team average. The Flying Dutch return senior Sara Muir (89.33), along with juniors Allyson Zuidema (85.67) and Jaiden Winters (84.67). Alumna Megan Radaz leads the program after stepping into the head coaching role during the spring of 2025. She previously served as Hope’s associate head coach and recruiting coordinator during the 2024 fall season.
6. Kalamazoo College – 44 points
The Hornets return a young core after averaging 351.50 last season. Sophomore Ellie Britt earned Second Team All-MIAA honors in her debut season with an 82.67 average. She is joined by junior Jillian Smith and sophomore Jacey Merkle, both of whom finished with an 87.50 average.
7. Albion College – 48 points
Albion finished seventh in 2024-25 with a 359.67 average. The Brits return sophomore Marissa Genske, who paced the team with an 88.60 average, and junior Taylore Wilson, who followed closely at 88.83.
8. Alma College – 58 points
The Scots posted a 363.50 average last season. Sophomore Sarah Ream, the team’s top golfer with an 85.00 average, returns alongside senior Jada Zerlaut, who provides leadership as Alma’s only senior.
9. The University of Olivet – 61 points
Olivet finished ninth in the 2024-25 campaign with a 370.00 average. The Comets welcome new head coach Nito Ramos, who previously led the men’s and women’s golf programs at Siena Heights University. Seniors Ella LaMothe (86.00) and Sedona Bonter will anchor the squad in Ramos’ first season at the helm.
Looking Ahead
The 2025-26 MIAA women’s golf season will feature four fall jamborees on September 22, September 30, October 6, and October 11, followed by a two-day MIAA Spring Finale. The regular-season champion will be determined by the lowest average across all six rounds, with that team earning the conference’s automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Women’s Golf Championship. This year’s national championship will be played May 19-22 at the Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, California.