FREELAND, Mich. – In a preseason poll of eight Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association women's lacrosse coaches, Albion was predicted to finish first overall in what is predicted to be a close race for the top spot in 2020.

Albion, the 2019 MIAA automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Championship, received five first-place votes on the way to tallying 45 points. Hope received two first-place votes to receive 40 points, slightly ahead of Calvin's 39 points for third; Calvin received the final first-place vote. Saint Mary's ranked fourth with 36 points. Kalamazoo (23 points) edged Adrian (18 points) and Trine (15 points) for fifth, while Alma rounded out the poll with eight points.

Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.

Albion (14-5, 7-1 MIAA in 2019) advanced to the NCAA Championship for the second time ever in 2019 after defeating Hope in the MIAA Tournament championship game, 16-14. Junior midfielder Carly Schwarz returns after earning First-Team All-MIAA accolades in 2019.

Hope (11-6, 5-3 MIAA) returns senior defender Julianna Burlet this season; Burlet was a First-Team All-MIAA selection last spring.

Calvin (11-7, 6-2 MIAA) will look to Jaimie Van De Burg for leadership this spring, as the senior midfielder returns after a First-Team All-MIAA campaign in 2019.

Saint Mary's (12-6, 8-0 MIAA) returns 2019 MIAA Offensive Most Valuable Player Erin Doyle, a junior midfielder. Junior goalkeeper Emily Kraker, the MIAA Defensive Most Valuable Player, also is back for the Belles; Saint Mary's targets repeating as MIAA champions after last season's perfect league mark.

The 2020 women's lacrosse season gets underway Thursday, 13 with Alma at Cleary. The first MIAA contest date of the season is set for Tuesday, March 31 when all eight teams are in action.

The 2020 MIAA Women's Lacrosse Tournament will be held Wednesday, April 29, and Saturday, May 2. The winner will receive an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Championship.

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