The Hope College softball team is second in the 2015 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Preseason Coaches Poll.
Coach Mary VandeHoef's Flying Dutch received one first-place vote and totaled 16 points to trail only preseason favorite and 2014 MIAA champion Trine. Coaches could not vote for their own teams.
MIAA Preseason Poll Results
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. Trine (8) 8 pts
2. Hope (1) 16
3. Olivet 27
4. Calvin 30
5. Alma 32
6. Adrian 44
7. Saint Mary's 46
8. Kalamazoo 57
9. Albion 64
The Flying Dutch open the season on Friday, March 13-Thursday, March 19 with their annual spring break trip to Florida. Their home opener is Saturday, March 21, against Trine.
Hope is coming off a 2014 season in which the Flying Dutch finished with a 23-16 overall record, reached the championship round of the MIAA Tournament and finished second in the MIAA regular-season standings.
Hope produced three All-MIAA First Team players during the 2014 season and one second-team honoree.
Sophomore outfielder Autumn Anderson of Wayland, Michigan (Wayland HS), claimed All-MIAA honors for the second time in her career.
Junior infielder Julie Sobieski of St. Charles, Illinois (St. Charles East HS), and junior first baseman Peyton Wells of Rockford, Michigan (Rockford HS), both made the first team for the first time.
Junior third baseman Kelsey Cooper of Romeo, Michigan (Romeo HS), earned second-team recognition.
