FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) announced the 2026 MIAA Softball Preseason Poll following a vote of the league’s nine head coaches.
Defending national champion Trine University was selected as the unanimous preseason favorite after earning all eight first-place votes, with Adrian College and Hope College close behind as the league prepares for the upcoming spring season.
1. Trine University – 64 points (8 first-place votes)
Trine enters the 2026 season following a historic 2025 campaign that included a perfect 16-0 record in MIAA play and a 46-5 overall mark. The Thunder captured their 14th regular-season championship and 11th MIAA Softball Tournament title before winning their second NCAA Division III National Championship in the past three seasons.
The Thunder return a deep and decorated roster led by senior outfielder Karley Trine, the 2025 MIAA Most Valuable Position Player and a two-time All-MIAA honoree who was also named to the NFCA All-Region VII First Team. Two-time All-MIAA infielder Tyra Marcum returns for her junior season after earning First Team All-MIAA honors and NFCA All-America First Team recognition in 2025. Senior infielder Macy Rocha, also a two-time All-MIAA selection, returns after earning First Team All-MIAA and NFCA All-Region VII First Team honors. Three-time All-MIAA pitcher Debbie Hill is back for her senior season after earning Second Team All-MIAA honors, along with NFCA All-Region VII Second Team and NFCA All-America Second Team recognition. Senior outfielder Emma Lee returns after earning All-MIAA Second Team honors and being named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Player of the Week late last season, while sophomore infielder Whitney Duell returns after being named one of 10 finalists for NFCA Freshman of the Year and earning NFCA All-Region VII Second Team honors.
Head coach Donnie Danklefsen, the 2025 MIAA Softball Coach of the Year, enters his 22nd season leading the program. Trine’s coaching staff, led by Danklefsen and assistants Dennis Smith and Zach Huston, was also named the 2025 Division III Region VII Coaching Staff of the Year and the NFCA Division III National Coaching Staff of the Year.
2. Adrian College – 49 points
Adrian finished the 2025 campaign with a 12-4 MIAA record and a 29-14 overall mark.
The Bulldogs return senior first baseman Abbie Hoff, who earned First Team All-MIAA honors and NFCA All-Region VII Third Team recognition last season. Junior outfielder Taylor Gerhardt also returns after earning First Team All-MIAA honors. Additional key returners include senior first baseman Peyton Russell and sophomore pitcher Avery Clark.
T3. Hope College – 47 points (1 first-place vote)
Hope concluded the 2025 season with a 9-7 record in MIAA play and a 22-17 overall mark.
The Flying Dutch return senior pitcher and utility player Gianna Kerschbaum and junior infielder Terin Maynard, both of whom earned First Team All-MIAA honors last season. Sophomore infielder Jalen Fossitt also returns after earning Second Team All-MIAA recognition. Other top returners include junior catcher Sophie Stironek and junior pitcher/infielder Hailey Mellec.
T3. Calvin University – 47 points
Calvin also tied-for-third in the preseason poll after finishing 9-7 in conference play and 22-18 overall in 2025.
The Knights return two-time All-MIAA catcher Tory Decker and two-time All-MIAA pitcher Brooke Hunderman, both of whom earned First Team All-MIAA honors last season. Three-time All-MIAA outfielder Carly Dole returns after earning Second Team recognition, along with junior infielder Aubrey Herder, who also earned Second Team All-MIAA honors in 2025.
5. Kalamazoo College – 35 points
Kalamazoo finished the 2025 season with a 9-7 MIAA record and a 21-15 overall mark.
The Hornets return junior first baseman and pitcher Jordan Wesaw after earning Second Team All-MIAA honors. Additional returning contributors include junior outfielder Landrie Fridsma, senior infielder Emma Newlove, and sophomore catcher and utility player Macy Ward.
6. Alma College – 32 points
Alma posted an 8-8 MIAA record and a 16-18 overall mark during the 2025 campaign.
The Scots return a veteran group that includes senior outfielder Jordyn Porter, senior pitchers Morgan Westall and Mikaylyn Kenney, and senior Sophia Somerset.
Head coach Denny Griffin enters his 38th season leading the program and his 43rd year at Alma after being named to the 2026 NFCA Hall of Fame.
7. Saint Mary’s College – 25 points
Saint Mary’s finished the 2025 season with a 4-12 MIAA record and a 10-20 overall mark.
The Belles return sophomore second baseman and outfielder Talia Jorgensen, who earned First Team All-MIAA honors during her first collegiate season. Other returning players include sophomore middle infielder Hunter St. Peter, sophomore outfielder and middle infielder Gia Schiavone, and senior pitcher and first baseman Sam Mikitka.
8. Albion College – 17 points
Albion finished the 2025 campaign with a 5-11 MIAA record and a 16-24 overall mark.
The Britons return junior pitcher and infielder Lilly Zaskowski, junior infielder Jessie Anstandig, and junior catcher and infielder Kiersten Wilkin.
9. The University of Olivet – 8 points
Olivet rounds out the preseason poll after finishing the 2025 season with a 0-16 MIAA record and a 1-25 overall mark.
The Comets return sophomore pitcher and outfielder Alisha Gahn, along with junior infielders Alexis Bond and Zola Smith and junior catcher Haylie Wenke.
Up Ahead
Conference play begins April 4 with doubleheaders across the league, including Albion hosting Calvin, Olivet hosting Alma, Saint Mary’s hosting Kalamazoo, and Trine hosting Adrian. The 2026 MIAA Softball Tournament is scheduled for May 6–8, with the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament opening with regional play May 14–16.