The Hope College women's swimming and diving team claimed the top spot in the inaugural MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll as it begins the quest for a sixth consecutive league title.

The Flying Dutch, who finished ninth at last season's NCAA Division III Championships, received all five possible first-place votes and collected five points. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.

Calvin University finished runner-up with one first-place vote and nine points. Albion College was third with 15 points, followed by Kalamazoo College (17), Alma College (19) and the University of Olivet (25).

Head coach Jake Taber enters his eighth season leading the Orange and Blue. He was named MIAA Women's Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Hope opens the season Friday, Sept. 26, at 3 p.m. at the Be Better Invitational hosted by the University of Michigan.

The return of five swimmers who earned CSCAA All-America and All-MIAA honors last season, along with another swimmer and one diver who received All-MIAA recognition, bolsters Hope's lineup.

Senior Greta Gidley (Franklin, Michigan / Mercy) placed fourth in the nation in the 200-yard individual medley last season and was national runner-up in the event at both the 2024 and 2023 NCAA Championships. The elementary education major could become just the second Flying Dutch swimmer to win four MIAA titles in the 200 IM.

Gidley was selected the MIAA's Most Valuable Swimmer in 2024.

Four returning teammates also earned CSCAA All-America and All-MIAA honors last season: sophomore Emme D'Errico (Farmington Hills, Michigan / Farmington), senior Katie Hermann (Canton, Michigan / Mercy), senior Bella Turner (Chelsea, Michigan / Chelsea) and senior Laurel Wasiniak (Northville, Michigan / Northville).

The Flying Dutch also bring back two others who earned All-MIAA recognition: senior swimmer Madi Remenschneider (Holland, Michigan / West Ottawa) and junior diver Laura Zupancic (Fort Collins, Colorado / Liberty Common).