2026-27 Women's Swimming and Diving Season Preview

It's been quite the time in the pool recently for the Hope College women's swimming and diving team, and the Flying Dutch are aiming to keep the surge rolling.

The Orange and Blue finished ninth at the NCAA Division III Championships the past two seasons and are in their second six-year reign as MIAA champions.

While several standouts aren't returning, including graduated national champion Greta Gidley, Hope is still starting from a strong place, head coach Jake Taber said.

"To return four individual national qualifiers — two swimmers and two divers — is huge," Taber said. "We're excited about having that kind of high-caliber national-level experience helping to lead with a positive impact for this dynamic group of freshmen we have. We are excited about the potential we have this year."

ROSTER

Hope's roster of 35 features seven seniors, three juniors, 13 sophomores, and 12 freshmen.

Junior Emme D'Errico (Farmington Hills, Michigan/Farmington) and sophomore Makenzie Baldwin (Holland, Michigan/West Ottawa) are both returning national qualifiers.

D'Errico claimed All-America Second Team accolades last season in the 400-yard medley relay. She also won the 200 butterfly and 400 individual medley at the MIAA Championships, setting a league record in the butterfly.

Baldwin also earned All-America Second Team honors in the 400 medley relay, while winning three events at the MIAA Championships: 100 and 200 backstroke, and the 500 freestyle.

Divers Grace Dawson (Jackson, Michigan / Western) and Laura Zupancic (Fort Collins, Colorado / Liberty Common) are back after competing at the NCAA Division III Chapionships last season.

Dawson, a sophomore, is the reigning MIAA Most Valuable Women's Diver. Zupancic, a senior, is a two-time All-MIAA selection.

The Flying Dutch also return All-MIAA swimmer Avery Bills, a senior from Traverse City, Michigan (Traverse City Central).

This year's captains are seniors Madeline McGee (Ionia, Michigan / Ionia), Paige Potter (Lake Orion, Michigan / Lake Orion), and Anne Stolle (Fishers, Indiana / Hamilton Southeastern).

"It's a well-rounded group," Taber said. "They collectively have some exciting life experiences but also have achievements athletically that make them well-equiped to lead us."

COACHING STAFF

Head coach: Jake Taber, 9th season
Diving coach: Rebecca Garza
Assistant coaches: Aubrey Syron, Dave Jolly

SCHEDULE

The Flying Dutch's first meet of the season is the Be Better; Invite, on Friday, Sept. 25, at 3 p.m. at the University of Michigan that includes Calvin University. The annual event honors the life and legacy of the late Ian Miskelley, a former University of Michigan and Holland Christian High School swimmer who passed away in 2020, promoting mental health awareness and supporting the Be Better; Foundation, a charitable organization created by the Miskelley family in Ian's memory.

Hope will first compete in its home pool, the Holland Aquatic Center, on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 9-10, at the Grand Valley State University Invitational.

The Flying Dutch will be at traditional nationally-recognized meets on Friday-Saturday, Nov. 6-7, at the D3Shootout hosted by the University of Chicago and the Total Performance Invitational on Wednesday-Saturday, Nov. 18-21, hosted by Kenyon College.

The MIAA Championships are on Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 17-20, hosted by Calvin.

The NCAA Division III Championships run from Wednesday-Saturday, March 17-20, at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, N.C.

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