Add another No. 1 preseason ranking for the Hope College women’s basketball team.
The Flying Dutch topped the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll after receiving all eight possible first-place votes. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.
On October 31, Hope was voted No. 1 in the D3hoops.com preseason rankings. Led by head coach Brian Morehouse, the Flying Dutch won their third national title in 2022 and posted with a 32-1 record.
In the MIAA poll, Hope finished ahead of runner-up Trine University (16 points, 1 first-place vote), Calvin University (25). Albion College (27), Alma College (34), Saint Mary’s College (46), Adrian College (47), Olivet College (57) and Kalamazoo College (64).
The Flying Dutch return only one starter from the team that earned the third national title in team history but bring back several key returners.
Fifth-year senior forward Kate Majerus (Sycamore, Illinois / Sycamore) is back after starting all 33 games last season.
Hope also is counting key returning reserves, including senior guard Ella McKinney (Haslett, Michigan / Haslett), who scored a game-high 21 points off the bench in the 78-71 victory vs. Whitewater in the national title game.
Senior guards Claire Baguley (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Central) and Meg Morehouse (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland East) averaged double-digit minutes for the Flying Dutch last season, as did senior forward Savannah Feenstra (Osceola, indiana / Northwood).
Hope tips off the 2022-23 season on Friday-Saturday, Nov. 11-12, at DeVos Fieldhouse by hosting a four-team tournament that includes Concordia University (Wis.), Geneva College (Pa.), and Illinois Wesleyan University.
The Flying Dutch will play their first five games at home before going on the road for the first time on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Calvin University in the MIAA opener.
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