UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The fifth-ranked Saginaw Valley State University softball team earned seven first-place votes and finished with 49 points to top the 2026 GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Cardinals finished 10 points ahead of second-place Grand Valley State, which received the final first-place vote. Two points below GVSU was Ferris State in third place. Parkside totaled 35 points, two away from FSU, to claim fourth in the poll. Wayne State finished with 21 points for fifth, while Davenport and Roosevelt tied in sixth with 18 points. Purdue Northwest rounds out the poll in the final spot with seven points.

Saginaw Valley State (49-15) finished the 2025 season with the second-most wins in program history and competed in the NCAA DII National Championships in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after winning both the Midwest Regional and Super Regional. The Cardinals also won the GLIAC regular-season title for the second straight season and the fourth straight GLIAC Tournament Championship a year ago.

SVSU returns everyone from last season's roster, along with adding two freshmen to the lineup. The team is highlighted by 2025 NFCA All-America selection and GLIAC Pitcher of the Year Macy Irelan returns, along with fellow All-American and All-GLIAC teammate Aalana Kimble, for the 2026 season.

Irelan became the first SVSU pitcher to throw two no-hitters in a single season. She made 33 appearances with 27 starts and finished 23-4 with 24 complete games and an impressive 8.98 K/7 mark.

Kimble led the team in hits and finished with an average of .361 at the plate. She also made 33 appearances in the circle with 29 starts, finishing with a record of 20-7 with 16 complete games and a K/7 mark of 5.39.

In addition to Irelan and Kimble, 2025 First-Team All-GLIAC selections Ella Reifschneider (outfield), Olivia Elliott (DP), and Jenna Morse (utility) also return. Joining them are second-team All-GLIAC players Kenzie Bromley (2B) and Kate Pnacek (outfield).

Along with the returning roster, two-time GLIAC Coach of the Year Ryan Schalk leads the team through a 48-game schedule that begins on Friday, February 6, with a doubleheader at Nova Southeastern, followed by games against Barry, East Stroudsburg, and Bentley.

The Cardinals return to Florida for the Spring Break trip beginning on March 1 and will play 10 games in seven days. SVSU then returns to the Midwest for a doubleheader against Findlay on Thursday, March 12, before beginning GLIAC play at Ferris State on Saturday, March 21.