Women's Basketball Finishes Runner-up in MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

The nationally ranked Hope College women's basketball team is projected to contend for the MIAA title again this season.

The Flying Dutch finished second in the nine-team 2025-26 MIAA preseason poll with 17 points and one first-place vote. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams. Calvin University was the unanimous favorite, collecting eight points and eight first-place votes.

Hope finished three points ahead of third-place and defending MIAA champion Trine University. Adrian College was fourth with 34 points, followed by Kalamazoo College (41), Albion College and Alma College (42 each), Saint Mary's College (56) and The University of Olivet (64).

Led by head coach Brian Morehouse, the Flying Dutch open the season on Friday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. against nationally ranked Wisconsin-La Crosse in River Falls, Wisconsin.

Hope went 21-5 overall last season, including 14-2 in MIAA play.

The Flying Dutch return a young but talented core led by sophomore guard Anna Richards (DeWitt, Michigan / Lansing Catholic), a 2025 All-MIAA Second Team selection. Her twin sister, Leah Richards, also returns and can play both forward and center. Sophomore guard/forward Maddie Petroelje (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) is also back.

Senior guard/forward Sydney Vis (Byron Center, Michigan / South Christian), a 2023 All-MIAA First Team selection, also returns.

All four averaged between 7.6 and 9.0 points per game last season.

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Players Mentioned

#34 Maddie Petroelje: G/F; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#10 Anna Richards: G; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#20 Leah Richards: F/C; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#25 Sydney Vis: G/F; 5' 10"; Senior; Elementary Education

Players Mentioned

#34 Maddie Petroelje
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: G/F

#10 Anna Richards
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: G

#20 Leah Richards
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: F/C

#25 Sydney Vis
: 5' 10"; Senior; Elementary Education
: G/F