ROYAL OAK — Defending co-champion Hope has been installed as the preseason favorite in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association women’s basketball race for the 2013-14 season.

The Flying Dutch, who shared the MIAA title with Calvin last winter and won the conference tournament before advancing to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III tournament, received eight out of a possible nine first-place votes in the preseason poll of the league’s coaches. Coaches could not vote for their own team.

Calvin was picked to finish second, followed by Olivet and Adrian.

Former Brandywine standout MacKenzie Shelton is a member of the Calvin Knights.

MIAA teams will tip off their season Nov. 15, with the first conference game just four days later, on Nov. 19 when Hope travels to Calvin.

 

Women’s Poll Results

(First-place votesin parenthesis)

1. Hope (8) 8 pts. 2. Calvin (1/2) 15. 3. Olivet (1/2) 21. 4. Adrian 38. 5. Albion 41. 6. Trine 42. 7. Alma 43. 8. Saint Mary’s 51. 9. Kalamazoo 64