BRIGHTON, Mich. -- Trine University has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2026-27 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll, earning 62 points and six first-place votes.
The Thunder captured the 2025-26 regular-season title with a 15-1 conference record, but defending MIAA Tournament champion Hope College is close behind with 59 points and three first-place votes. Calvin University, Albion College, and Alma College round out the top five as teams prepare for another competitive season of MIAA basketball.
1. Trine University – 62 points (6 first-place votes)
Trine claimed its seventh regular-season championship in program history in 2025-26, finishing atop the MIAA standings with a 15-1 conference record. The Thunder return a strong core of all-conference talent as they look to maintain their position at the top of the league.
Sophomore Annika Southworth and junior Madison Wagner both return after earning First Team All-MIAA honors last season. Senior Ally Capouch also returns following a Second Team All-MIAA selection, giving Trine three returning all-conference guards.
Head coach Andy Rang was named the 2026 MIAA Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year for the second-consecutive season. Rang enters his 15th season on Trine’s coaching staff and his first year as the university’s athletic director.
2. Hope College – 59 points (3 first-place votes)
Hope finished second in the 2025-26 regular-season standings with a 14-2 conference record before capturing the MIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament championship for the 19th time in program history. The Flying Dutch return several key contributors as they aim to defend their tournament crown and challenge for the regular-season title.
Junior guard/forward Maddie Petroelje returns after earning First Team All-MIAA honors last season. She was also named to the D3hoops.com Third Team All-Region 7. Classmate Anna Richards, a two-time All-MIAA guard, earned First Team All-MIAA recognition last season and joined Petroelje on the D3hoops.com Third Team All-Region 7. Junior forward/center Leah Richards rounds out Hope’s returning all-conference group after earning Second Team All-MIAA honors.
3. Calvin University – 50 points
Calvin finished fourth in the 2025-26 regular season with a 10-6 conference record. The Knights return several experienced players who will look to help the team remain at the top of the standings in the upcoming campaign.
Two-time All-MIAA honoree RyAnn Rohrer returns after earning Second Team All-MIAA recognition last season. Senior Katelyn LaRue is also back after averaging 10.3 points per game. Senior guard Chloe Wiegers led the Knights with 54 assists last season, while classmate Lydia Sall paced Calvin with 35 blocks. Their experience will be important as the Knights look to make a push in the MIAA race.
4. Albion College – 42 points
Albion placed third in the 2025-26 regular-season standings with an 11-5 conference record. The Britons return the reigning MIAA Most Valuable Player and several other contributors
Senior guard Meghan Trewhella headlines Albion’s returning roster after earning 2026 MIAA Most Valuable Player and First Team All-MIAA honors. She was named to the D3hoops.com Team of the Week in November 2025 and earned a spot on the D3hoops.com All-Region First Team in 2026. Senior center Anna Honnen returns after leading the Britons with 13 blocks last season. Junior guard Khaleeya Cook also returns after totaling 144 points, 76 rebounds, 30 assists, and 24 steals.
5. Alma College – 37 points
Alma finished fifth in the 2025-26 regular season with a 7-9 conference record. The Scots bring back several key contributors across the backcourt as they look to build on last season’s performance.
Senior guard Cadence Kaminske returns after earning Second Team All-MIAA honors. Senior guard Molly Deurloo is also back after leading the Scots with 151 rebounds last season. Sophomore guard Kate Starkey led Alma with 73 assists, while junior guard Reese Wisniewski paced the team with 25 steals. All three will look to continue making an impact as the Scots pursue a stronger conference finish.
6. Saint Mary’s College – 26 points
Saint Mary’s finished eighth in the 2025-26 regular season with a 3-13 conference record. The Belles return several players who led the team in key statistical categories.
Senior guard Kate Restovich returns after leading Saint Mary’s with 160 points last season. Sophomore guard Liv Fry led the Belles with 76 rebounds, 49 assists, and 30 steals, while junior guard Kate Passinault paced the team with nine blocks.
T-7. Adrian College – 19 points
Adrian finished seventh in the 2025-26 regular season with a 5-11 conference record. The Bulldogs return a mix of scoring, defensive production, and shooting efficiency.
Junior guard Hannah Lisch totaled 177 points last season and led Adrian with 30 steals. Sophomore guard Sophia Bussell returns after shooting 41.2 percent from the field and posting a team-best 51.4 percent three-point field-goal percentage. Senior forward Ava Schultz also returns after contributing 98 points, 75 rebounds, 14 assists, and 14 steals last season.
T-7. Kalamazoo College – 19 points
Kalamazoo placed sixth in the 2025-26 regular season with a 6-10 conference record. The Hornets return two-time All-MIAA honoree Ruby Hogan alongside several contributors who will look to help the team compete for a postseason spot.
Senior guard Hogan earned Second Team All-MIAA honors in 2026 and led Kalamazoo with 228 points, 72 assists, and 22 steals last season while also collecting 110 rebounds. Junior guard/forward Sophia Moir returns after totaling 145 points, 68 rebounds, 15 assists, and 16 steals. Sophomore Semaj’ Robertson also returns after shooting 44.1 percent from the field and recording 130 points, 50 rebounds, 27 assists, and 18 steals.
9. The University of Olivet – 10 points
Olivet finished ninth in the 2025-26 regular season with a 1-15 conference record. The Comets return several young contributors and senior leadership as they work toward a stronger showing this season.
Senior guard/forward Kaylee Bush returns after scoring 114 points last season. Sophomore guard Reese Gohsman added 100 points and 67 rebounds, while classmate Madelyn Burdis led the Comets with 75 rebounds and 26 steals.
Up Ahead
Conference play begins Wednesday, December 2, with Adrian hosting Olivet, Kalamazoo hosting Albion, and Calvin hosting Saint Mary’s.
The MIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Presented by Collegiate Credit Union is scheduled for February 23 (first round), February 25 (semifinals), and February 27 (championship). The NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament begins March 5, with the NCAA Championships set for March 18 and 20 at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.