BELLEVILLE, Ill. - Building on the momentum of its best-ever finish in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) last year, The W women's golf team has been tabbed as the preseason No. 2-ranked team in the 2026 coaches' poll, it was announced. The Owls return four of five members of last year's lineup, including a trio of All-SLIAC finishers.
Coming off a 15th-place showing at the NCAA DIII Championships, Grinnell College is the overwhelming favorite in the 2026 SLIAC women's golf season. The Pioneers grabbed 100 points, including 10 first-place votes. Head Coach Connor McKay's lineup boasts a bevy of All-Conference performers. Emily Lackershire, Saya Geisendorfer, and Waverly Yang are all multiple-time All-Conference selections. The team also welcomes back Meilin Hoshino after a year away from the course due to an injury. Hoshino is a two-time Player of the Year and holds the conference record for lowest round and season average. The lineup depth continues with the additions of Madison Chen, Coco He, Samantha Ngyuen, and Caroline Hoang.
MUW was picked to finish 2nd, totaling 82 points in the voting. Head Coach
Benji Williams brings back a trio of All-Conference golfers in fourth-year senior
Ashley Estabrook, senior
Isabel Velazquez, and senior
Addi Campbell. Estabrook was second on the team last year with an 84.6 scoring average, while Campbell carried an 85.2 average, and Velazquez held an 86.8 average.
Lindsey Reimsnyder will look to build on a strong freshman campaign. The program brings in a trio of transfers to build depth:
Reagan Darden, Zae'Ja Davis, and
Carinton Davis.
Coming in 3rd in the voting was Illinois College with 79 points. Head Coach will build his lineup around Shelby Seiler. The senior carried an 84.5 scoring average last season, collecting one win. Leah Mills and Riley Ramsey are two freshmen who will compete in the lineup.
Lyon College finished 4th on the poll with 69 points. First-year head coach Ben Bernard takes over a program that finished 5th at last year's championship. The lineup will consist of returners Austyn Teufel, Zoe Anderson, and Jacey Holder, along with newcomers Tanner Durham and Sajani Sharma.
Spalding University was picked 5th, collecting 64 points. Head Coach Jeff Nelson will have a young team this year, looking forward to building towards the future. The list of newcomers includes Emma Young, Kendall Thomas, Taylor Young, Erin Eggar, Makenna Roush, and Tatum Riddiough.
Monmouth College received 50 points, putting them 6th. No team information provided.
Westminster College was chosen 7th with 40 points. Head Coach Alex Kueker returns three golfers from last year while adding a talented freshman in Breckyn Shewmake. Top returners are Vera Fosnow and Rowan Ulvestad.
Knox College revives its program for the first time in five years and was picked 8th with 39 points. Head Coach Preston Roth will fill his lineup with newcomers Jiya Gupta, Ella Suchomel, and Taylor Snyder.
Blackburn College comes in at 9th on the poll with 37 points. No team information provided.
Greenville University, which competed partially last year, will be in its first full season of competition. The Panthers finished with 27 points.
Eureka College tallied 18 points, putting them 11th on the poll. No team information provided.
2026 SLIAC WOMEN'S GOLF PRESEASON WATCH LIST
Addi Campbell, MUW
Ashley Estabrook, MUW
Meilin Hoshino, Grinnell
Emily Lackershire, Grinnell
Isabel Velazquez, MUW
Waverly Yang, Grinnell
