BRIGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has announced the results of its 2026-27 Women's Golf Coaches' Poll. The Trine University women's golf team has been selected as the favorite to claim the conference title in April.
 
The Thunder earned 59 points and three first-place votes, ranking just ahead of Saint Mary's College. The Belles claimed 56 points and four first-place votes. Albion College and Kalamazoo College claimed the other two first-place votes. The Britons were third in the poll and the Hornets, fifth. Adrian College claimed the fourth spot. Hope College, Calvin University, Alma College, and The University of Olivet rounded out the poll.
 
Trine opens its season with their annual Trine Kickoff Classic on September 1 before traveling to The University of Olivet for a 36 hole tournament on September 4-5. The Thunder open MIAA play on September 14 at the first of four fall MIAA Jamborees. Trine travels to the Land of Lincoln for the Illinois Wesleyan Fall Classic on September 19-20. MIAA Jamboree #2 precedes the final nonconference event of the fall. On September 28-29 Trine will compete in Bethel University's Battle at Blackthorn. The Thunder conclude the fall with Jamborees #3 and #4 on October 6 and 12.
 
Returning for the Thunder this year is Rylee Smith, the junior became the first player in program history to earn MIAA Most Valuable Golfer. Smith finds her name atop a bevy of categories in the Thunder record book, she owns the career and season 18- and 36-hole average records and holds the best single round for each as well. Smith owns five MIAA event wins, another record. Also returning to the Thunder is the woman who ranks just behind Smith in nearly all of those categories, Natalie Kulka. Kulka enters her senior season with a career 18-hole average of 79.51. The Jackson, Michigan native earned first team All-MIAA status a season ago and was twice named MIAA Golfer of the Week.
 
Also returning for the Thunder are Cassidy Hawken, Kayleigh Agugliaro, and Brooke Anderson. Hawken claimed second team All-MIAA honors last season. Agugliaro and Anderson have been mainstays in the Thunder lineup over the past two seasons.
 
Trine opens its season just over a week from today at Zollner Golf Course when they host the annual Trine Kickoff Classic.