BRIGHTON, Mich. -- Trine University has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2026-27 MIAA Women’s Golf Preseason Poll, earning 59 points and three first-place votes. Saint Mary’s College follows closely with 56 points and four first-place votes, while Albion College rounds out the top three with 46 points and one first-place vote.
The preseason poll was determined by a vote of the MIAA’s nine head coaches and features a competitive field highlighted by returning All-MIAA honorees, conference award winners, and experienced golfers heading into the new season.
1. Trine University – 59 points (3 first-place votes)
Trine finished second in the MIAA last season with a team scoring average of 315.00.
The Thunder are led by junior Rylee Smith, who was named the 2026 MIAA Most Valuable Golfer after posting a conference-best 74.67 season average. Smith also made history as the first Trine women’s golfer to earn a spot on the WGCA All-Region IV Team. Senior Natalie Kulka adds veteran experience after becoming a two-time All-MIAA honoree with a First Team selection last season. Kulka finished the year with a 78.00 scoring average.
2. Saint Mary’s College – 56 points (4 first-place votes)
Saint Mary’s captured the 2026 MIAA Championship with a team scoring average of 311.17.
After graduating two First Team All-MIAA honorees, the Belles will look to senior Colleen Hand to lead the returning group after she posted an 81.50 average last season. Junior Ella Notaro also enters the season as a key contributor after recording an 83.50 average across two rounds at the 2026 MIAA Spring Finale.
3. Albion College – 46 points (1 first-place vote)
Albion finished fourth last season with a team scoring average of 321.83.
Sophomore Anna Schaibly highlights the Britons’ returning group after earning First Team All-MIAA honors during her freshman campaign with a 78.00 season average. Junior Aubrie Schaibly also returns after earning Second Team All-MIAA recognition last season and posting an 80.83 average.
4. Adrian College – 38 points
Adrian placed fifth in the MIAA last season with a team scoring average of 323.50.
Senior Ainslee Hewitt leads the Bulldogs’ returning group after recording an 81.17 average during her junior season. Classmate Sami Burks also provides experience entering the new campaign after averaging 83.17 last season.
5. Kalamazoo College – 37 points (1 first-place vote)
Kalamazoo finished seventh last season with a team scoring average of 326.83.
Junior Jacey Merkle leads the returning Hornets after earning Second Team All-MIAA honors and posting a team-best 78.67 average. The roster will also feature senior Jillian Smith who averaged 79.25 across four fall rounds, while junior Ellie Britt finished shortly behind with a 79.83 average.
Head coach Holden Price enters his fourth season at the helm after being selected as the 2026 MIAA Women’s Golf Coach of the Year.
6. Hope College – 35 points
Hope claimed third place last season with a team scoring average of 321.67.
Senior Rachael Jones returns after earning First Team All-MIAA honors with a 77.33 season average. Senior Jaiden Winters also brings back All-MIAA experience after earning Second Team recognition last season and averaging 80.83.
7. Calvin University – 30 points
Calvin finished sixth last season with a team scoring average of 323.83.
Senior Andrea Diemer enters her final season as a three-time All-MIAA honoree after earning First Team recognition last year with a 77.83 average. Sophomore Brooke Haney also returns after posting a 78.25 average across four fall rounds during her freshman season.
8. Alma College – 15 points
Alma placed eighth last season with a team scoring average of 342.33.
Junior Sarah Ream leads the Scots after earning Second Team All-MIAA honors last season with an 80.67 average. Senior Katelyn Jacot also returns after averaging 86.00 during her junior season.
9. The University of Olivet – 8 points
Olivet finished ninth last season with a team scoring average of 369.67.
Junior Kyleigh Ramos is the top returning scorer after posting an 89.33 average last year. Junior Ryleigh Reese also returns after averaging 93.75 across four fall rounds.
Up Ahead
The first MIAA Jamboree of the 2026-27 season is scheduled for Monday, September 14, with Albion hosting the event at Cascades Golf Course. The 2027 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championship is scheduled for May 11-14 at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia.