GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) announced the results of the 2026 softball preseason poll today, Tuesday, Jan. 27.
The poll was determined by a vote of the conference coaches.
Saginaw Valley State, the defending GLIAC regular season and tournament champion, was selected as the 2026 favorite, receiving seven of the eight first-place votes (49 points). A year ago, the Cardinals finished with a 49-15 record, advancing to the NCAA Midwest Regional for the fourth-consecutive year and to the NCAA Division II championship for just the second time in program history.
Polling at No. 2 was Grand Valley State, which earned the final first-place vote and 39 total points. The Lakers placed second in the league in 2025, winning 17 conference games.
With 37 points, Ferris State was picked third. The Bulldogs finished the 2025 campaign with 28 victories, which represented their most wins in a decade.
Just two points behind FSU in fourth place was Parkside. The Rangers posted 30 wins a year ago, the program's most since 2010, and return two-time GLIAC Player of the Year Mia Johnson for the 2026 campaign.
Wayne State was voted fifth (21 points) followed closely by Davenport and Roosevelt, which tied for sixth place with 18 points.
Purdue Northwest (8th, 7 points) rounded out the 2026 preseason coaches' poll.
The 2026 season gets started on January 30 when Ferris State faces Mount Olive and Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach, Fla. and Roosevelt hosts Illinois Springfield for a double header.
2026 GLIAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| 1. |
Saginaw Valley State |
|
49 (7) |
| 2. |
Grand Valley State |
39 (1) |
| 3. |
Ferris State |
37 |
| 4. |
Parkside |
35 |
| 5. |
Wayne State |
21 |
| 6T. |
Davenport |
18 |
| 6T. |
Roosevelt |
18 |
| 8. |
Purdue Northwest |
7 |
